Chichester boxing show is perfect Olympics follow-up

It will be held at Westgate Leisure in Chichester raise much-needed finance to help St Gerards and Chichester Boys’ Club carry on providing much-needed activities for local youngsters in need of support and direction.

The head coach at St Gerards, Gareth Ferguson, who was one of the bearers for the 2012 Olympic torch relay, taking his turn in Portsmouth, said: “We are having many enquiries about our sport since the amazing success of our boxers at the Olympics – from males and females.

“This show is our way of giving something back and hopefully encouraging many youngsters and adults to try our sport. They will benefit immensely from their participation, gaining a high level of fitness but more importantly feeling more positive about life in general and taking that positivity back into our communities.

“The Rotary Club do such sterling work in supporting ventures like ours among many others. Without them we’d have had to close our doors last year and a very valuable asset to our communities would have been lost.

“Last year’s show was a tremendous success considering it was our first – and the first of many, we hope.”

“Rotarian Ray Richardson was pivotal to its success and will again be involved. This show promises to be even better and the standard of boxing will give the crowd good value for money and a fantastic night out.”

St Gerards have given their boxers a much-needed summer rest but are now back in the gym raring to go.

Coach Jon Mills said the show would give them the opportunity to showcase their talents. Host club boxers expected to take part include Will ‘The Giant’ Atha, Xavier Southerton, Arron Cotton, aka The Cottonator, pugilistic policeman Pete Outen and Mark Chandler, who has lost four stone in four months through amateur boxing.

Also involved will be Chris James, the flamboyant ex-hairdresser now trimming trees as a tree surgeon, Germaine Malcolm, a senior boxer from Brixton and adopted Chichestrian, and the return of Wee Billy Lavelle.

Tickets are £50, including a four-course meal. There will be a special guest from the boxing world.

If you require tickets or would like to book a table of ten, contact Ray Richardson on 01243 543701 or at [email protected]

If you want to try amateur boxing at St Gerards, they train on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm at 46 Swanfield Drive, Chichester. All are welcome.