BARRY Island Sports and Social Club was centre stage for what has been described by most as the best display of action packed boxing seen in years. Special guest European featherweight champion and World title challenger Lightning Lee Selby was ringside checking in on the future champions.

Host's Colcot Amateur Boxing Club was in action with 13 members of its squad being able to take to the ring.

Colcot’s Cian Anderson was first to get the crowd going against tough Swansea boy J Gilheany. Anderson boxed fantastically moving and using his jab constantly but was very unlucky not to get the decision that many of the crowd disagreed with, losing on a split decision.

There was disappointment for club mate Jake Turnbull who faced S Richards Pontypridd ABC who he had already beat in recent weeks in a nail biter also lost on a split decision.

The ever improving Ollie Tipples made light work of Euan Thomas from Pengam ABC making it six wins out of seven for the Colcot boxer, with Thomas rushing forward from bell one, Tipples quickly adapted to this using his fast footwork to sidestep his opponent and unleash effective combinations dominating all three rounds comfortably, winning on a unanimous victory.

Another pair of rising stars brothers Calvin and Brandon Phillips was also on hand to create an electric atmosphere with both boys winning respectively. Calvin having a real ding dong with Ponty boy Dylan Porter, both boxers with bloodied noses had the crowd on its feet with its back and forth action finally ending with a special recognition from referee Phil Parry raising Phillips hand at the end.

Harry Day who faced Mohammad Ali from Grange Catholics ABC was also on form to beat his opponent by a unanimous victory.

Colcot’s Ethan Dobbinson was caught up in a real battle for three rounds when he took on Grange boy Alsum Ali unfortunately losing on a close split decision.

Buddy Froud was up against a more experienced boxer in the shape of Lewis Toms from Ponty ABC giving the crowd a treat with his good footwork and combinations winning on a split decision. After the schoolboy fights had finished and a successful raffle at the interval it was time for the senior boxers to take to the ring.

Andrew Perry had to dig deep and dig he did in order to silence his very worthy opponent from Islington ABC London in an action packed three rounds. Perry back in action after a four year break looked like he'd never been away from the ring but was unfortunate to lose on a split decision.

Club mate Rachel Tobin was next into the ring proving why she is still top girl at the 64kg facing T Williams from Tredegar ABC. In an all out battle from first bell Tobin took control with her jab forcing Williams back to the ropes and following up with vicious hooks to the body making Williams retreat. The Tredegar girl not giving up easily fought her way back but it was Tobin who controlled the fight winning a unanimous decision from judges.

Jonathan Viscount was unable to get going in his bout against experienced Londoner Justyn Page-Allen giving away a considerable height advantage Viscount just couldn't get into the quick footed Englishman and was left frustrated by the referee’s decision to call a halt to the fight in round two.

Maredudd Thomas seemed to have improved on his last outing against London Boy Jeff Ofori in a close fight but it was still not enough from the Colcot boxer losing on a close split decision.

The fight of the night was given to Barry boys Kevin Gillen (Colcot) and Curtis Rogers (Barry West End) who gave the crowd their money’s worth in an absolute belter of a contest. Rogers started the fight strong out of the bell and quickly forcing Gillen to retreat with powerful punches but it didn’t take Gillen’s feet long to start working and by the end of round one Gillen was moving fluidly and counter punching accurately with a pretty even first round. Second round Rogers tired slightly allowing Gillen to capitalise on this moving in and out with fast combinations taking the second round. The third round was by far the best with both boxers giving their all leaving nothing in the ring, having the entire crowd on their feet screaming for their boy. Rogers seemed to catch his second wind but it was not enough with Colcot boy Kevin Gillen’s hand being raised as winner taking nothing away from Rogers having being his first senior fight he gave a very good account of himself.

Head Coach Wayne Gurd and the rest of Team Colcot would like to thank everybody who came to make this show one for the history books and a huge success. They wish to thank all the generous sponsors who gave in order for this event to go ahead: JCT Construction, AB Car Sales, P W Millar, Diamond Car Repairs, Relics, Gift House International, Finnegan's, Auto Spray, Sian Brown, King William, Pontyclun Car Sales, Barry Tyre Centre and SRG Carpets for sponsoring the fights.

Also thank you to everyone who donated raffle prizes; Shah, Forest Cafe, Coastal Coffee, Golden Dragon, Beauty Basics, Fun Harbour, John Lewis, Francis Kestle photography and Rebecca van Praag for doing the buffet for boxers and officials, they thank you all.