Swedes come out on top in Rotary Club's big boxing event (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Swedes come out on top in Rotary Club's big boxing event

2:00pm Sunday 3rd March 2013 in Sport By Mark Jones

SWEDISH boxers enjoyed the sweet taste of success in Basingstoke as they turned in a match-winning performance against a team from England at a charity boxing evening.

The annual boxing event, organised by The Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane in association with the Amateur Boxing Association of England, is a popular feature of the local events calendar, and it has seen some hard-fought and competitive contests over the years.

Last Friday’s clash between teams from England and Sweden featured seven entertaining contests, with two of the bouts involving women boxers.

The Swedish team got off to a flying start as their boxers registered points victories in the first three bouts – Clearence Goyram, Nurbo Bozan and Elin Ronnlund triumphing over Kane Stewart, Jimmy Randall and Talia Anthony respectively.

The English team finally got on the scoreboard in bout four as Lisa Whiteside defeated Linnea Strandell – an impressive performance that earned her the Best Boxer accolade on the night.

Whiteside’s success was followed by another solid English win as Felix Cash outclassed Scandanavian opponent Ben Bodilia.

However, any hopes that the English team had of taking the contest to a deciding bout were snuffed out as Hampus Henriksson got the judging panel’s vote over Jake Ball in bout six.

That left Basingstoke boxer Greg Bridet with the task of trying to reduce the deficit. His fight with Gabriel Richards was one of the best of the night, with the local lad landing plenty of good blows. However, not for the first time on the night, the expertise of the judges was telling as they scored a win for the Swedish boxer.

While the Swedish team triumphed in the contest, good causes were also winners on the night as the event, which is always well supported by local businesses, raised £22,000. This will be used to support Rotary Club charities.

Local businesses sponsored the bouts and many firms bought tables at the event, which took place at Aldworth Science College, in South Ham.

Basingstoke Deane Rotarian Paul Temple, event manager, said: “The support from all of our sponsors was brilliant. There were about 350 people at the event, and it was great success.”

Mr Temple said particular thanks must go to headline sponsor Southern Communications, based at Dummer, as well as Barclays, who provided a £3,000 matching grant. He also thanked the many volunteers from local Rotary Clubs and others who played a key role in their front-of-house and behind-the-scenes support.