Still plenty to fight for despite open KO

BOXERS can still look forward to a busy season despite the cancellation of a second open show. The 800 tickets for last February's annual show at Beau Sejour was sold out in a staggering 90 minutes.

On the back of the success, the Amalgamated Boys Club decided to run two shows this winter.

An additional event was booked in for next weekend, but problems with insurance with the Amateur Boxing Association has led to it being called off.

'The insurance wouldn't have been sorted out in time for the show, but there will definitely be one in February,' said ABC head coach Graham Guilbert.

'All the lads are disappointed and so are the committee.'

Instead the season will get underway with dinner boxing show at the end of November.

The Sarnians will have a rerun against the North of England Select that is managed by a well known face to local boxing, Steve Walshaw.

The Manchester-based coach regulars bring teams over to face the Sarnians. Walshaw will also be in charge of Guernsey's opponents at the open show in February.

At the moment it looks as if the team will either be a Liverpool Select one or from the Isle of Man.

For the dinner boxing shows, teams are also being lined up from Hull and London.

Guilbert reports that there is a real buzz around the club's gym in St Martin's as they get ready for a gruelling season, with close to 30 lads regularly training, including half a dozen new boys.

'They're all hanging in there,' said Guilbert.

'We should have a good season.'