'Worth all the hard work'

THE dinner boxing season promises to get off to an explosive start tonight. The crowd at St Pierre Park will be entertained by what is undoubtedly the strongest Amalgamated Boys' Club line-up in recent years.

Against a North-West Counties Select side, Matt Jennings tops the bill to be joined by the likes of Shane Le Patourel, Tom Duff, James Woolnough, Callum Pearson and Alderney's Adam Foster among others.

'It's a strong 14 bouts - it will be good,' said Guernsey coach Graham Guilbert.

'We've had to rally around to get them all matched up and there's another six or seven who weren't matched. It's really humming around the club now.

'They are all getting excited. There's been a

lot of hard work but it's worth it.

'It should be a very good show.'

In his most recent outing in March against Rob Boardman, 30-year-old Jennings had a real fight on his hands.

The island's biggest boxing draw was a minute or so away in the last round from one of his best ever victories before he was caught and counted out on his feet.

Bristol-based Boardman turned professional soon after the fight and Jennings' opponent today, Thames Valley ABC's Sonny Jury, is expected

to be another difficult

challenge for the cruiserweight Sarnian.

'It's going to be power against skill,' said Guilbert.

'Jury has had twice as many bouts as Jennings. He's a county boxer and is a better boxer than Jennings.

'But Jennings is looking very sharp.'

The night also marks the return of Duff.

The Sylvans and island footballer has been out of the ring for the last three-and-a-half years.

The 28-year-old went travelling and did not get back into the swing of things until only recently.

'I've always enjoyed it and I'm a big fan of boxing,' he said.

'I'm looking forward to it.'

Three Guernsey-based fighters will make their dinner boxing debut.

These are Irish middleweight Tommy Atcheson and Shaun Sawbridge, who joins his younger brother, Matt, on the bill, along with junior Daniel Davis.

Steve Walshaw manages the island team's opponents.

Walshaw is well known in local boxing circles having been over many times before and Guilbert is expecting him to bring a tough side.

'They always bring a strong team,' said Guilbert.

'They are going to have to change their styles.'