The Galleon - Portsmouth's Official Student Newspaper

One of the many events served up during ‘Freshtival’ fortnight was a boxing exhibition held in Ravelin Park. The University Boxing Club held Backyard Boxing; an open air spectacle, where challengers from all around the country took on Portsmouth’s finest.

The Union promised an ‘incredible event in the sunshine’ and the weather delivered, the occasion happening right at the start of the week-long stretch of wonderful weather. There was sun, drinks, barbecue, performances from Cheer and Dance, and live sporting entertainment. And best of all it was all free.

Before the bouts began, the crowds were treated to a sparring demonstration and commentary on the rules of boxing by team captain Yannick Foh and British University under 20s champion Callum Lewis. Fifteen year old England international Charlie Southam then wowed spectators with an electric display on the pads.

There were eight bouts scheduled for the afternoon and Brooklyn Wearn, refreshed and raring to go after a two year break from the sport, went up against Fran Raven of Moulescombe Amateur Boxing Club in the first fight. Brooklyn showed no signs of rust once the fight had begun, and after two very competitive rounds the third turned things into an all-out slog, with Brooklyn taking the decision.

The second fight featured Dan Yardley of the University against a fine boxer from Gosport ABC – and Yardley secured a first round win by technical knockout, after his opponent was unable to respond to an eight count having been left dazed by a combo.

One of the club’s newest competitors, Craig McColl, stepped up next, in what was only his third ever fight. Despite chants from his corner, Craig lost a narrow points decision to a boxer from Waterlooville. The next fight featured Guy Lawrence, a University debutant with only four months training with the club under his belt. However, Lawrence’s progress has been enormous and he displayed superb speed of hand and foot, keeping tireless pressure on his strong opponent to come out with a unanimous win.

Portsmouth had been training up to three times a day in preseason, and it paid dividends with the home side winning four of their six fights against very skilled opponents. All fights were cut-throat, with every competitor left with nothing in the tank after the three rounds.