The original estimate for attendance was 150 people but the response from the local community shocked Arthur’s Gym and there were 300 people through the doors by the end of the night.

Arthur said: “The turn-out was fantastic, it was twice the size we expected. The whole point of it was to give the boxers a chance to fight in front of their families, friends and fans because a lot of them didn’t have that chance before.

“This was the last show of the season, normally shows tailor off at this point in the calendar but demand was high for this. So, we’re thinking of doing another one when the next season gets started in September.”

Arthur’s Gym had four winners in the eight contests it was involved in and there were stellar performances from Rhys James, Thomas James, David White and Adam Cadwallader. There were learning losses for Dylan John, Mark Price, Matt Defis and Kyle Crowley but despite the mixed fortunes, Arthur was happy and he’s adamant that tough bouts are important for the development of a boxer.

He said: “Although they weren’t all perfect results, I’m pleased that the boxers did their best to do what I asked of them. There are lessons to be learnt, it’s my job to make sure my winners and losers are made aware of those lessons now and if they are then it will all be worth it. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Fight of the Night award was awarded to the light-heavyweight bout which saw Arthur’s Gym’s Welsh Novice Champion Mark ‘Sparky’ Price upset by Tylorstown’s Kevin Reed.

All of the 300 people in attendance stayed for the evening’s most eagerly awaited bout and it didn’t disappoint. It was a case of bombs away from the opening bell with Price attempting to take control of centre ring using his long jab and right hand. Despite having the vast majority of the crowd against him, Reed wouldn’t be deterred and he pressured Price to the ropes which led to excellent all-action exchanges for the full three minutes.

There were two all-Arthur’s Gym exhibition bouts between Luke Dwyer, Rhys Woolford, Harry Walton and Kyle Arthur. Arthur’s Gym would like to thank the Tylorstown, Maesteg, Bargoed, Pen Aber, Barry East End and Alway amateur boxing clubs for playing their part in a memorable night of boxing.

Arthur’s Gym would also like to thank everyone who contributed to the show and made it possible, especially sponsors BodyViUK, Hawkes Essentials, J Williams Home & Gardening Services, Colin Laver Heating, RCT Homes, Customise Clothing, Vale Line Plastering and Steve Bevan Kick Boxing.

MARTIN MURRAY: "I'LL STEP UP TO FIGHT CARL FROCH"

MARTIN MURRAY says he's more than happy to move up a weight division and face fellow Brit Carl Froch.

The St Helens puncher is a career middleweight and has no problems scaling 160lbs, but he feels a clash with Froch is the kind of opportunity every boxer dreams of.

Froch added the WBA super-middleweight crown to his IBF belt by defeating Mikkel Kesser at the O2 Arena in late May and rumours have been circulating about his next foe since.

George Groves and James DeGale have both been quick to call the Nottingham man out, but Murray believes he should head the queue of potential domestic opponents because he has greater experience on the world stage.

"I can do middleweight comfortably and that's still the weight I want to fight at, but a Froch fight is one I'd be more than open to," Murray, 30, said.

"I believe styles make fights and I think me and Carl Froch would put on an absolute war.

"If Carl is going to fight another British fighter then I don't see why name isn't in the mix. It makes sense from the American TV side of things with me now being known on HBO after the Martinez fight.

"There's obviously George Groves and James DeGale, but they're not yet proven at world level. Even though I've been boxing at the weight below, I've shown that I belong up there with the elite fighters, which is what Carl is."

He added: "I've said from day one that I want to be involved in big fights. When I look back at my career in the future, I want to be able to see I was in with the best."

lympic Champion Nicola Adams returns to the ring

at the EU Championships in Hungary

 

OLYMPIC Champion, Nicola Adams, is to make her first competitive appearance since her triumph in London at the forthcoming EU Championships in Keszthely, Hungary (1-6 July 2013).

 

Adams will compete for England alongside three other members of the GB Boxing’s Podium squad including fellow Olympia, Natasha Jonas, 2012 middleweight world champion, Savannah Marshall and Lisa Whiteside who joined the Podium squad in April 2013.

 

16-year-old Crystal Barker from GB Boxing’s Podium Potential squad will travel with the team and compete in the Youth (aged 16-18) version of the tournament.

 

The EU Championships will be the first time Adams has boxed competitively since she defeated Ren Cancan of China in the Olympic final to become the first women in history to win a gold medal for boxing and follows surgery in the latter part of 2012 on her right hand.

 

Nicola Adams said: “The time since winning the Olympic gold has been an absolutely fantastic experience but it is now time to get back to business and I am really looking forward to stepping back into the ring and competing again.  There are still so many things I want to achieve as a boxer and defending my EU title is the start of the next phase of my career.”

 

Adams is the reigning EU Champion following her victory at the 2011 tournament in Poland when she defeated the former double world champion, Karolina Michalczuk, 17:13 on home soil to secure the gold.  She was joined by Natasha Jonas who took gold in the same tournament in the light-welterweight category (64kg) when she defeated Poland's Oliwia Luczak, 17:7.

 

GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken said: “I think London 2012 was a watershed for women’s boxing and all of the squad are really motivated and keen to get back into action and making a start on the road to Rio.  I expect most of the top European nations to send their best boxers to this tournament which will make it a very good competition and a tough test for all of our team.”

 

In addition to the boxers from the GB Boxing squad selected by Rob McCracken, the national coaches of England and Wales have also chosen a number of boxers to represent the home nations in the EU Championship.   

 

Lynsey Holdaway will compete for Wales at light-flyweight.  Talia Anthony will represent England in the same category and Carly Weallans will box for England at featherweight.

 

Bantamweight, Olivia Orchard will represent England alongside Crystal Barker in the Youth (Aged 16-18) competition.  A full list of all the boxers from England and Wales that will be competing is listed below:

 

OLYMPIC Champion, Nicola Adams, is to make her first competitive appearance since her triumph in London at the forthcoming EU Championships in Keszthely, Hungary (1-6 July 2013).

Adams will compete for England alongside three other members of the GB Boxing’s Podium squad including fellow Olympia, Natasha Jonas, 2012 middleweight world champion, Savannah Marshall and Lisa Whiteside who joined the Podium squad in April 2013.

16-year-old Crystal Barker from GB Boxing’s Podium Potential squad will travel with the team and compete in the Youth (aged 16-18) version of the tournament.

The EU Championships will be the first time Adams has boxed competitively since she defeated Ren Cancan of China in the Olympic final to become the first women in history to win a gold medal for boxing and follows surgery in the latter part of 2012 on her right hand.

Nicola Adams said: “The time since winning the Olympic gold has been an absolutely fantastic experience but it is now time to get back to business and I am really looking forward to stepping back into the ring and competing again.  There are still so many things I want to achieve as a boxer and defending my EU title is the start of the next phase of my career.”

Adams is the reigning EU Champion following her victory at the 2011 tournament in Poland when she defeated the former double world champion, Karolina Michalczuk, 17:13 on home soil to secure the gold.  She was joined by Natasha Jonas who took gold in the same tournament in the light-welterweight category (64kg) when she defeated Poland's Oliwia Luczak, 17:7.

GB Boxing’s Performance Director, Rob McCracken said: “I think London 2012 was a watershed for women’s boxing and all of the squad are really motivated and keen to get back into action and making a start on the road to Rio.  I expect most of the top European nations to send their best boxers to this tournament which will make it a very good competition and a tough test for all of our team.”

In addition to the boxers from the GB Boxing squad selected by Rob McCracken, the national coaches of England and Wales have also chosen a number of boxers to represent the home nations in the EU Championship.   

Lynsey Holdaway will compete for Wales at light-flyweight.  Talia Anthony will represent England in the same category and Carly Weallans will box for England at featherweight.