Boxing: English boxers with local punch

By Peter Jessup

A boxing team from the strong north of England club Spennymoor take on locals at the Mandalay tonight, the visitors spurred on by support from All Black-turned-Newcastle Falcon Inga Tuigamala.

There are 12 bouts on the card, the Spennymoor mob including two England junior champions in Sean Denham (16) in the under 71kg, and Brad Saunders (12) at under 39kg.

It's the first of what both teams hope will be an ongoing exchange that will give junior and senior amateurs the chance to travel and gain experience in the sport while earning representative honours.

Tuigamala, who lives handy to the County Durham club and has been a spectator at home fights, has been helping to promote the visit.

The fighting starts at 7.30pm with two women's bouts to warm things up. Then follow juniors Shane Snedden (Hawkes Bay) v Gary Rae (Spennymoor), Brett Snedden (HB) v Brad Saunders (S), Luke Matthews (HB) v Matthew Ballin (S), Jemel Burns (Akl) v Joe Dodds; lightweight Jordan Tai (Akl) v George Gallon (S); light welterweight Harley Edmonson (Akl) v Gary Hodgson (S); welterweight Santos Pakau (Akl) v Alex Oliver (S); light middleweight Javid Aranai (Akl) v Stu McCrone (S); middleweight Andrew Fepuliai (Akl) v Sean Denham (S); heavyweight Lou Manusante (Akl) v Mark McGuinness (S).