BOXING on Portland will return to its former stomping ground on May 30 when the ex-Naval sports centre in Castletown plays host to some of the best up-and-coming fighters in the county.

The Boscawen Centre, which has since been replaced by the Osprey Leisure Centre, used to regularly stage the Navy Boxing Championships and Portland ABC are delighted that the sport is going back to the revamped arena.

The island outfit’s secretary Vince Ealson said: “With the help of Osprey Leisure Centre manager Martin Stockley, we are absolutely delighted to be returning to Castletown.

“We are more than happy with the new venue at Osprey and everyone is very much looking forward to the event. And with a strong showing of local talent it is hoped the show will be a great success.

“The club understands that with the credit crunch there is less spare cash and that is why we have frozen our entry prices to only £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s.”

Reflecting on the club’s impressive campaign, Ealson added: “We have enjoyed a tremendous season so far. Not only do we now boast two Junior Western Counties Champions, who both lost their respective semi-finals to the eventual National Champions, but we also have a Senior Novice Western Counties Champion in Marcin Fojt, who lost to the National Novice Champion and Senior ABA finalist Matthew Isa from London.

“Meanwhile, Tom Gardiner lost to the National Champion in the Boys’ Club Championships, so there is no disappointment at all, as all the boys lost to the number ones in the country.

“As a club we are going from strength to strength with more boys coming through the doors than ever before and we will be carrying out more improvements to the gym throughout the summer.”

Among the Portland boxers that will be in action at the show will be Liam ‘Lights Out’ Simpson.

The talented Western Counties Champion will take on Tiverton’s Corey Westbrook, who is the Western Counties Southern Area Champion.

Tom Gardiner will box Adur ABC’s Ben Butler while in the senior division Aaron Pryer will go head-to-head with Bodmin’s Matt Mesbahi.

In the other bouts, Niall Petchey will have an eagerly awaited rematch with Stacey ABC’s Shane Craig, Paul Elborn will step into the ring with Poole’s George Sparrow, and Andy McGivern will face the much-fancied Danny Harris from Penhill ABC in Swindon.

Senior heavyweight Fojt will also take part in the showpiece occasion in what promises to be a thrilling clash with Torbay’s Lee Stacey while the Osmond brothers from Weymouth ABC and several Dorchester ABC boxers are expected to make appearances as well.

To purchase tickets for the show or to find out more details about Portland ABC call Ealson on 07732220362.