FOR the first time in over 20 years, boxing fans were treated to a show in Falmouth on Saturday at the Dracaena Centre Boxers came from across Cornwall and the South West to compete in nine bouts over the course of the evening, with plenty of physical and technical skills on display.

In the first of the senior bouts, Rhyan Webb from Falmouth and Penryn ABC took on Bailey Nixon from Priorswood ABC. Webb exerted good pressure throughout and made good use of the overhand right and landing the more hurtful punches, taking the bout by split decision.

Next up, Reece Williams from Camborne ABC took on Ben Jarvis of Devonport ABC. In what was an aggressive bout right from the start, both showed their strength and toughness in landing clean punches, Williams looking the more physically imposing and just edging the action.

This continued into the second round with Williams landing the cleaner punches, and Jarvis visibly tiring.

Jarvis was forced to take a standing count after being rocked onto his heels by a hard shot, but showed grit by continuing to hear the final bell. The judges all scored the contest in favour of Williams.

Tom Temp from the host club came up against Joshua Stacey from Bodmin ABC in the next bout.

A very tight opening round saw both land well with combinations and show good hand and foot speed. The second round saw much of the same, but Temp came on stronger towards the end landing a solid shot just before the bell rang.

The third round saw Temp take control which, despite a spirited and battling display from Stacey, was enough to win the bout by split decision.

Falmouth Packet:

Rhyan Webb is declared the winner of his bout with Bailey Nixon. Picture: SALLY JACOB/CARTEL

Will Jeffries from St Ives ABC was up next against Mitch Dobson from Fitzpatricks ABC. A frantic pace was set right from the start with Jeffries, the bigger man, landing several clean shots. Dobson returned in kind though, causing Jeffries nose to bleed badly towards the end of the round.

Jeffries continued to land the better punches through the second round but Dobson showed plenty of grit to stay in the fight and land some of his own. The bout came to a disappointing end, however, as Jeffries gumshield flew out several times and after a warning from the referee the bout was stopped when it happened again, giving Dobson the win.

Falmouth and Penryn ABC’s Matt Nuciforo was next to fight, against Camborne ABC’s Tomas Kaskauskas. The bout was not to last long though when, after feeling each other out, Kaskauskas landed a clubbing right hand to the head causing Nuciforo to drop to the canvas.

After beating the referee’s count he was soon down again and the official had seen enough, giving Kaskauskas the win.

Falmouth Packet:

Matt Nuciforo hits the canvas after a big blow from Tomas Kaskauskas. Picture: SALLY JACOBS/CARTEL

The final bout of the evening was a highly entertaining heavyweight clash between Chris Logget and Ross Chard. Chard moved better through the fight but had to be wary of the power in Logget’s punches.

As the bout wore on, Logget was having more success, landing with single punches.

The clash of styles made for an exciting fight with Chard, who had done the cleaner work throughout the fight, claiming a unanimous decision from the judges.

Earlier in the evening there were two junior bouts, the first between Finly Dann from Devonport ABC and Brody Woodman from Poole ABC was a skills bout, with no decision. The second saw Piran Hendra from St Ives ABC take on Cody Berry from Devonport ABC, with Berry winning via split decision.

If you are interested in boxing with Falmouth and Penryn ABC, training sessions for seniors are on Tuesdays between 7.30pm and 9pm and juniors on Wednesdays between 5pm and 6pm.

The club can also be contacted through their facebook page.