DORCHESTER boxing fans, and the BBC, were treated to a thrilling evening of 16 top class bouts at the TA Centre.

The BBC cameras were out for a follow-up on Dorchester Amateur Boxing Club coach Ben Geyser, who was named Unsung Hero of the Year at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards in December.

And the county town boxers thrived on the extra attention.

First to take to the ring was Dorchester’s Ryan May, who came up against Morjkai Chown from Lympstone in a skills bout.

In round two, May shook Chown with a right cross and the Lympstone lad’s attempt to hit back was met with another right.

Both competitors captured the hearts of the spectators, showing grit and determination throughout.

Samuel Old was the next county town member on the bill. The home boxer used his skills well and managed to land some crisp shots.

However, with just a minute remaining, Blandford opponent Sam Davis caught Old with a right-hand and that gave Davis the edge.

The eager Ollie Cake followed looking to gain Dorchester’s first win of the evening but he came up against a more experienced opponent in the form of Golden Ring’s David Mcdonagh.

Cake, undeterred, put a strong fight in his toughest test to date and despite suffering with an injury the home boxer could be pleased with his efforts. Mcdonagh though received the judges’ decision.

Henry Sheppard was next to fly the flag for Dorchester in a skills match against Kasey Liddle.

The first round saw both boys sparring steadily before upping the tempo in the second with body blows and uppercuts.

A steady groove kicked off the final round until a flurry of action was followed by the final bell.

The final county town representative on show was heavyweight Daniel Foster, who produced the upset of the night.

Foster tarnished Neil Herbert’s fearful reputation with a stoppage in the second round.

The home boxer, twice beaten by Herbert, had to prove his worth against the Mayflower member. But he imposed himself with a number of jabs and uppercuts.

The bout burst into life in the second round. Herbert came flying out of the traps only to be put under immense pressure by Foster.

And Foster’s efforts proved too much for his opponent who was stopped in his tracks by the referee.

Geyser was full of praise for his boxers. He said: “This show has generated such an interest in the boxers that the phone hasn’t stopped ringing to make return matches.”

Dorchester ABC Chairman, Coun Mary Penfold, added: “The spectators looked more exhausted than the boxers from the constant cheering and clapping.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves and the committee would like to thank everyone concerned in making it a night to remember – Capt Cobbold, the officials, the BBC crew, the visitors and the sponsors.”