BOXERS will be drummed into the ring by the Army at this Saturday's international tournament in Weymouth.

Two soldiers from the Devon and Dorset Regiment - Lance Corporal Chris Wall of Sherborne and Private Rob Downie - will beat drum rolls prior to each of the seven Young England v Young Ireland under-17 bouts.

Demand for tickets for the 278 sell-out dinner/boxing spectacular has been so great that the Pavilion stage is being dismantled and taken out for the night to seat 48 more fans.

The event, being hosted by Weymouth Amateur Boxing Club in association with the England ABA, will be a celebration of the club's 50th year in the Hardwick Street gym.

Club chairman David Nelmes - a former national schoolboy champion and Welsh international said: "The hard work and organisation is paying off and everything looks set for a great night of boxing. It is a tremendous achievement for the club.

"Weymouth boxer Peter Wiffen (57kg) will fight on the bill against featherweight Tim Ashman from the Avalon Club in Bristol.

"But first up and making is debut is young George Hall, 11. He has been training with the club for about a year and will be making his debut against K. Walton from the Willenhall club in Coventry."

Wiffen, 19, has won two of his three senior bouts and ten from a 20-bout junior career.

Watching both Weymouth boxers will be former British middleweight and Commonwealth champion Tony Sibson who will attend as a guest of former Weymouth ABC coach Alf Larkin.

Sibson, who fought a world title fight against one of the greatest ever middleweights, Marvin Hagler, has promised to display his championship winning belts.

Mr Nelmes asks spectators who are not dining to arrive after 8pm.

Bouts

Junior, 24kg: George Hall (Weymouth Amateur Boxing Club) v K. Walton (Willenhall, Coventry).

Flyweight, 48kg: Martin Stead (England) v Paul Hyland

Bantamweight, 54kg: Derry Matthews (England) v Patrick Hyland

Featherweight, 57kg: Nathan Brough (England) v Steven Ormond

Lightweight, 60kg: Andrew Morris (England) v Michael Hogan

Featherweight: Peter Wiffen (Weymouth Amateur Boxing Club) v Tim Ashman (Avalon, Bristol)

Light-welterweight, 63.5kg: Andrew Woodward (England) v Roy Sheahan

Middleweight, 75kg: James Boyd (England) v Brendan Fitzpatrick

Heavyweight, 91kg: David Price (England) v Andrew Hanley.