BOXERS from around the country came together on Saturday for DC Boxing Academy s annual open show. The Cambridge-based club continued its success in organising events, with 28 of the country s top young boxers, showcasing their talents at the North Star

BOXERS from around the country came together on Saturday for DC Boxing Academy's annual open show.

The Cambridge-based club continued its success in organising events, with 28 of the country's top young boxers, showcasing their talents at the North Star pub in Old North Road, Royston.

The competition, for boxers aged between 11 and 26, featured 14 bouts and was watched by more than 200 spectators.

DC Boxing Academy assistant coach Scott Barrett said: "It was another great evening and the standard of boxing was again very high.

"People travelled from all over the place, and we had lads fighting from some of the country's top clubs, including Merlin in Derby and the Repton club in London.

"We're a fairly small club, so events like this really help to raise the profile, as well as bringing in some vital funds which will help us pay for new equipment."

The main bout of the evening featured DC's up and coming Aaron Robinson, who took on the experienced and highly talented Billy Crotty of Stevenage BC.

In an entertaining 64kg bout, Crotty of Royston eventually won with a unanimous decision.

However, DC Boxing Academy did take the 42kg contest, with young Shane Littlechild seeing off Stevenage BC's Mark Draper.

DC Boxing head coach Mark Farrow said: "It was good experience for everyone involved and there were a lot of good bouts.

"There was a lot of talent on show, and the main event was particularly entertaining.

"It was Robinson's 18th fight, and considering it was Crotty's 62nd, I thought he did very well - he gave it a good shot.

"All our boys did well, obviously including Littlechild, while Matt Hart impressed in his first fight.

"The club has only been going for three years, and we're improving all the time.

"It's hard work, but we're getting there. In those years we've had three lads reach three national quarter finals, so hopefully next year we can go further."

* DC Boxing will also be hosting a sports dinner at the Garden House Hotel in Cambridge on Friday June 20.

The event will be attended by Michael Watson and actor Tamer Hassan, as well as a number of other celebrities, and will raise money for The Michael Watson Charity and Cancer Research.

For more information contact Mark Farrow on 07872004047.

Event sponsors included: JK Environmental, Conquerors Industries Ltd, Hazel's Ultimate Motor Spares, Cherry Autos, Cambs Beer, Matthew Clark Wholesale, Ben Bru Fabrications, Steve Crotty Plumbing, AJ Grab Hire, Dave Neal Plumbing, Eddie Crowe Brickwork, and ITC Refrigeration.