Lydney Amateur Boxing Club Show

BOXING returned to Lydney Town Hall for the first time in seven years last Friday, watched by a large and enthusiastic crowd.

There was a sombre start to the evening for the Lydney Boxing Club show, with the traditional ‘10 bells’ tribute to former club president Charlie Edwards who died recently.

Mr Edwards had been a supporter of the club for some 40 years.

A full card included boxers from Chepstow, Cornwall, Somerset, south Wales, Wiltshire and the Midlands.

First up was Lydney’s Joby Fissenden against Thomas English of Devizes.

The 10-year-olds gave their all and the decision went to Joby on a split decision.

Lydney’s Dan Hardy boxed well to win a split decision against Charlie Day of Pontyclun.

Clubmate Cody Am- and showed outstanding skill against Pontyclun’s Conan Flower, and was rewarded with a unanimous decision.

And it was bragging rights to Lydney in the only local derby of the evening, as Bobby Lee beat Levi Holmes of Chepstow.

Lee showed quality boxing skills and was awarded the win on a unanimous decision.

The Charlie Edwards Memorial Cup for the most dedicated Lydney boxer was won by Liam O’Hare, who took on the more experienced Patrick Dunne of Nuneaton and won the bout on a split decision.

Cody Cottrell of Lydney took the first round against Cody Barlow of Hereford, but retired with stomach pains at the beginning of the second.

Liam Yarworth was also unlucky against the more experienced Danny Edwards of St Austell.

The Lydney boxer forced the Cornishman to take a standing count of eight in the first round.

But a big blow by Edwards late in the contest led referee Ken Brain to step in and stop the contest.

In the last bout featuring a Lydney boxer, Ben Vaughan had to retire with an injured shoulder against Tom Beech of Hereford.

In the only other match featuring a local boxer, Logan Arendell fought hard, but went down to a unanimous decision against Zak Bembridge of Trowbridge.

Bryan Higgs, of Lydney Boxing Club, said: “It was a fantastic night of boxing and we would like to put on another show next year.

“The town hall was packed and we are over the moon with how the show went

“We’ve got a lot of lads in the gym and the show was for them,” he added.

“There were some very good fights tonight, and the Lydney lads did very well.”