Boxing enthusiasts who flocked to the Park Hall arena at Withybush, Haverfordwest, were treated to an excellent evening of what is known as ‘White Collar Boxing’, which is designed for encouraging anyone who has never been heavily involved in the ring to experience what it is like over three rounds of two minutes each.
 
This second such event was superbly organised by Chris and Wayne O’Sullivan, alongside a number of other experienced family members – and  the large crowd also helped to make it an evening to remember for the novice boxers, whose ages ranged from 17 to 51 years of age, including a father and son from the world of horse racing, a boxer who enjoyed his previous experience so much that he wanted another bout, and two best friends who took on each other in such style that they earned the ‘Best Bout of the Evening’ accolade.
 
All the participants could only compete after a medical check and an intensive eight-week course at the S7 Gym, where many of them are members but also attended regular fitness sessions, learned about self-defence after sparring and everything else that would ensure their safety once they had entered the ring.
 
The process also included careful matching with regard to who met who, taking into consideration factors like age, weight, performances shown in sparring sessions and general fitness levels, with experienced referee Steve Glover using excellent judgement to keep an eye on every boxer, with medical staff also in attendance as an extra precaution.
 
On the night the boxers in the red corner were looked after in their corner by Wayne O’Sullivan and his son Simon whilst those in the blue corner had another of Wayne’s sons in Alex O’Sullivan, ably assisted by Shane Earp.
 
Such was the rapport built up over the training camp that all the boxers and others involved were invited by Chris and Wayne on the group’s What’s App to enjoy a celebration at the Royal Oak in Fishguard the next afternoon, where they could look back on their contributions to the success of the festival of boxing, with another planned for future months!




 

Tyler Morris beat James Clancy (on points)

The evening got off to an excellent start as Tyler Morris gained a unanimous points verdict over James Clancy in an action-packed contest where it started at a furious pace before they settled into a rhythm, took a break and showed good skills.

Morris played junior football for Goodwick United and is now in the second team whilst Clancey hails from the Solva area and although the latter must have been disappointed to miss out they both could be pleased with the display they put on to the best music choice of the evening with ‘Yma o Hyd’



 

Alex King beat Callum Bather (on points)

In another absorbing clash Alex King faced a real challenge  from Callum Bather, who played rugby for Fishguard & Goodwick at junior level and battled throughout the three rounds, despite conceding some height.

Alex, who is a member at S7. also gave 100% in terms of commitment and it was nice to see the camaraderie that exists when the verdict was announced in his favour.




 

Lauren O’Sullivan beat Linsey Stowell (on points)

The only bout of the evening to feature females saw Lauren O’Sullivan as the latest on the family’s boxing conveyor belt as the younger daughter of Dacka who was a very well-known boxer in his own right, and she took on a redoubtable opponent in Linsey Stowell, who also trains at S7 and hails from the Kilgetty area and throughout the fitness camp had shown that this would be a bout to remember - and it was!

Lauren is a very technically good boxer and Linsey never took a backward step so the result was in doubt up until the final bell to end an enthralling contest, with Lauren O’Sullivan winning a contest that came very close to be chosen as the best bout of the evening, with her godfather Wayne delighted to be in her corner!.



 

Iwan Nicholas beat David Lawrence (on points)

In another close contest Iwan Nicholas beat David Lawrence on points as both had their moments but Iwan, as the younger boxer, lasted the pace a little better. Iwan is one of the famous quadruplets born to parents Barry and Marie and he played rugby for Fishguard and Goodwick at junior level.

David, who hails from Letterston, is known to all as ‘Cheesie’ and has played lots of football for Letterston.
He had competed in the previous ‘White Collar Show’ and beaten ex-rugby player Lee Anson, but on this occasion although gave a typical 100% , he came off second best as Iwan Nicholas boxed really well and received the vote for a victory on points.





 

Brooke James beat Josh Barber (on points)

This pair put on a cracking contest which belied the fact that they are best mates - but clearly not in the ring - and it was voted the best bout by a country mile as both showed everything that they had learned so well in the training camp.

It was action-packed from the first to the final bell, with Josh Barber shading the opening round and Brooke James battling back in the second so both boxers knew it was all or nothing in the final two minutes.

With the crowd on their feet it certainly could have gone either way between these best buddies but it was Brooke whose arm was raised aloft to rapturous applause by everyone at the excellent venue!




 

Donal Devereux beat Ifan Mathias (Referee stopped bout – first round)

 
Donal Devereux and Ifan Mathias had worked very hard in training and the evidence was there to see as they clashed, with Mathias making a promising start but then finding his opponent, who is a jockey at Peter Bowen’s stables near Letterston, a lot to handle.

There was no doubt that Mathias, who plays football for Goodwick United 2nds, was fully committed and he deserved the applause he earned afterwards but it was Devereux who entered the winner’s enclose after referee Glover called a halt as he got on top.



 

Steffan Hayes beat Michael Morse (Referee stopped bout - second round)

Michael Morse started off at a heck of a pace against Steff Hayes and forced the Goodwick United defender to do just that in the early stages but after weathering the Morse storm he gradually got on top at the start of the second round and despite the boxer from the Cardigan area putting up some stubborn resistance referee Steve Glover sensibly called a halt in Hayes’ favour at the right time – although Morse received high praise from the judges regarding his total commitment to training!



 

Luke Harding drew with Craig Barnett

Luke Harding hails from the Fishguard area but has spent some time in training with Ken Owen at the Station Road ABC in Letterston and it paid off in this epic contest with Craig Barnett, a regular with Haverfordwest RFC for a number of years and renowned for his fitness levels.

There was action aplenty throughout an absorbing clash where both boxers held an edge at times in the three rounds – and when referee Glover declared the bout a draw at the end it was well received by a knowledgeable crowd.



 

Ady Smith beat Marc Barber (on points)

This contest between the two oldest members of the group produced high skill levels and total commitment as ex-jockey Marc barber, who is hovering around the 40-mark, took on Ade Smith, who was a respected goal grabber with Camrose and Merlins Bridge but at just overd 50 can be proud of the fact that he has also become an ‘Iron Man Wales’ competitor over recent years.

Marc appeared on the bill alongside his son Josh, one of the top boxers of the evening, and certainly carried the Barber name with pride – but in the final analysis it was Ady Smith who edged the verdict and had him admitting afterwards that it was the hardest sporting moment of his life, including ‘Iron Man’!



 

Yale Grice beat Rhys Vaughan (Referee stopped bout – second round)

Yale Grice is a very keen rugby player from Neyland who currently plays for Llangwm RFC at centre and is well known for his hard tackling – but certainly found this boxing challenge just as hard to tackle before he came out on top against Rhys Vaughan, who lives in Fishguard and had worked very hard to hone his skills in the training camp.

The first round was very even but there were already signs that although they were well-matched in terms of skills it was Yale who held an edge in terms of strength – and so it proved as he got on top in round two before referee Glover called a halt and awarded the win to the Llangwm rugby man!





 

Jordan James beat Jack Clancy (on points)

The final bout of the evening was an intriguing clash of heavyweights Jordan James and Jack Clancy and it was former Fishguard & Goodwick youth rugby player James who prevailed against big Jack, despite conceding 20kgs in weight and several inches in height against his opponent, who is a terrific second row in the Haverfordwest RFC first XV.

Neither boxer was willing to give any ground but James really got in with some telling blows in the closing stages that not only earned him the victory but the officials’ award for the ‘Best Boxer of the Evening’!