A SUPERB display of boxing by former Welsh champion Chris O’Sullivan was the undoubted highlight of a splendid evening’s boxing at a dinner show put on by Merlins Bridge Amateur Boxing Club at the Pavilion on the County Showground, Haverfordwest, with visiting clubs from as far afield as Dewsbury, near Leeds, and Islington (London) bringing the cream of their boxing crop.

Over 800 excited spectators watched O’Sullivan gain a unanimous points’ verdict over Dave Stanford (Chepstow ABC) that was all the more creditable since O’Sullivan hadn’t boxed for almost three years and was facing a younger opponent who has been busy all the season and has had twice the Goodwick boxer’s number of bouts.

It was very much a family evening for the O’Sullivans because he was watched by his parents Lena and Terry, himself a former boxer, joined by another family boxer in his uncle Dacka, whilst Chris’s brother Wayne, who was a two-times Welsh champion, was in his corner alongside coach Graham Brockway

His nephew Alex was sadly let down by an opponent failing to turn up but young Kyle (8) brought the house down in the interval with a friendly exhibition bout against McKenzie Thomas (Premier).

Also cheering O’Sullivan on were his team mates and supporters from Haverfordwest County AFC, where just six days’ earlier he had donned his football boots instead of boxing gloves, and had helped the Bluebirds gain promotion to the Welsh Premier League.

They cheered wildly throughout an action-packed bout and O’Sullivan looked as if he had never been away as he out-boxed the experienced Stanford in as noisy a bout as has been seen locally for a long time.

Also giving an impressive performance in the second half of the show was Dan Mitchell, who gained a unanimous points decision over Kristian Leary of Dockers ABC, with both boxers battling hard before Mitchell was given the verdict that was sporting accepted by the Pembroke Dock pugilist.

There was disappointment, however, for Merlins Bridge’s British champions Micky McDonagh and Charlene Jones as they lost on narrow majority verdicts of the judges when both could be forgiven for thinking that although they hadn’t boxed to the peak of their skills might have done just enough to be declared winners.

McDonagh took on Ismael Khan (Dewsbury) and was perhaps over-eager to do well in front of his home crowd, but after an even two first rounds seemed to have done enough in the third round – and like his corner men was clearly disappointed with the verdict.

Charlene Jones boxed Valerian Spicer, also from Islington and already boxing for the Dominican Republic at international level in a real contrast of styles as Spicer boxed cleverly behind a straight left whilst Jones tried hard to get inside and use her potent punching power. It was a fascinating contest where Jones’ work-rate might have given her victory but again she was at the wrong end of a split judges’ verdict.

It was a similar story as Ed Woolard took on Ramel Smith (Islington) in a close-fought contest, cheered on by his vociferous fans, but again the Merlins Bridge boxer found himself narrowly shaded out by the judges’ majority verdict.

The first half of the programme was equally entertaining as Cameron Barrows (Merlins Bridge) and Patrick Larkin (Chepstow) got it off to a good start, with Larkin winning on a split decision, despite Barrows showing what a fine prospect he is.

Antonio Price (Merlins Bridge) lost a unanimous points decision to Dylan Williams (Bridgend) before Dylan Davies just missed out against Jack Lovell (Premier), with both boxers receiving standing counts – and Peter Price lost a unanimous points decision to Huzaifa Khan (Islington).

Coach Brockway was afterwards understandably disappointed by the close verdicts that all seemed to go against his protégées on the night but he can take considerable consolation from the experience he had given to his young charges.

He was also quick to thank all his volunteers for their support, and the public for turning out in such high numbers.

John Phillips was the official in charge of the contests, with Bill Jones (timekeeper), Dillwyn Griffiths and Jenny Brown (judges), Steve Glover and Mark Smith (referee/judges). The medical officer was Dr Lawrence (Cardigan) and the MC was Bill Carne.