Tearful Gouveia one of the stars on emotional night

A COMBINATION of blood, sweat and tears helped Guernsey's Amalgamated Boys' Club emerge triumphant on Saturday night at the big open boxing show at Beau Sejour.

In front of a significant but not sell-out crowd, they staged a stunning fightback after trailing a strong North of England select team by five bouts to two. They secured the last seven and subsequently the match 9-5 overall.

That included victories for several debutants and knock-outs. Nobody exemplified the spirit, endeavour and passion better than newcomer Renate Gouveia in a pulsating light middleweight tussle against Jamie Buchanan.

Both boxers traded some brutal head and body blows as they went hammer and tongs at each other. The crowd warmed to the courage of the home boxer, as he showed he could take as well as give a decent punch, before leaving the hall in a flood of tears.