BOXING fans new and old converged on Freshwater Beach Holiday Park as Bridport Amateur Boxing Club held their annual show night.

Boxers from Newquay, Bristol-based Downend, Southampton’s Golden Ring and Devonport were among the participants in 13 entertaining bouts.

Dorset clubs Weymouth, Portland, Grey Ranks, Bournemouth, Parkstone and Christchurch also took to the canvas.

However, with Bridport opting to blood youth there were no home winners in six fights as Logan Silvier, Mert Isiktis, Dan Vanzyl, Charlie Reader, Blake Davies and Jimmy Green suffered defeats.

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And the healthy crowd was later enthralled by the main event of Parkstone’s Wayne Gardner beating Christchurch’s Steve Vincent on points in a true thriller of a bout.

There was even cause for celebration away from the ring as long-serving coach and event organiser Alan Slaney received the Ian James ‘grit and determination’ award for services to the sport.

All officials entered the ring to surprise Slaney with the award, along with his grandson Riley.

The evening was revved up by the announcements of MC Grant Little, who hung up his microphone after 40 years with a customary stellar display.

Reflecting on the night’s action, Slaney told the Bridport News: “The reception was brilliant.

“We had a good crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Our new boys had a good go, they all lost but they all did what they could.

“It was a good night. I had the shock of my life, I got presented with an award from Dorset ABA.

“I’m over the moon to receive it, it really is a good shock. So, it was a good night for everyone including me!

“I’m not doing any more matches now, I’ve resigned from doing that and announced that to the crowd.

“It takes too much of my time but we’ve got a couple of people in mind who will hopefully volunteer. I’ve got to find the time now to train them to do it properly.

“I’m still running the club, the show and everything else but the only thing I’m not doing is the matches.

“Learning to be a match-maker takes a long time to learn but it seems the right time to get them to do it.”

On the Bridport contingent, he said: “We had six Bridport boys on, all first-timers, never been in the ring before.

“We didn’t have a winner but they were good bouts and the Bridport boys are quite happy.”

Slaney also thanked Little for his services, adding: “He’s been our MC for 40 years and he’s now retired.

“He did a fantastic job. All we can say to him is: ‘Thank you’”.

Bridport ABC’s show night is expected to return next year, with a date yet to be confirmed.