Chichester all set for a big night of boxing

Chichester Priory Rotary Club will host it on Saturday, January 28, in association with St Gerards Amateur Boxing Club, at Westgate Leisure in the city. It will be the first major amateur boxing show in Chichester for almost 15 years.

Rotary are sponsoring the event to raise much-needed funding for St Gerards and Chichester Boys’ Club as they struggle to stay afloat in the tough economic times.

It will enable both clubs to carry on providing a voluntary service to local young people and in doing so addresses anti-social behaviour in a positive way within the community.

St Gerards sports science coach Ash Sutherland said: “We are extremely grateful and humbled by the Rotary Club of Chichester Priory sponsoring the event and allowing us to put amateur boxing back on the map in our fine city, where we hope it stays.

“We need people to support us and all of our local boxers by coming to the event and making it a night to remember.

“It’s a black-tie event with dinner jackets for men and evening dresses for the ladies. There will also be an area for around 100 standing supporters and entry will be strictly by ticket only.

“Local businesses can get involved by adverstising in the programme and maybe sponsoring some of the contests as well.”

Coaches Gareth Ferguson and Jon Mills plan ten contests on the evening, including two special match-ups. There will also be a female contest of high quality featuring Chichester’s Ellie Booth, who’s returned to her home club and is in good shape.

Ferguson added: “We will have a surprise guest, probably an ex-professional world champion that the boxers can have their photos taken with after their contests with his championship belts.”

All enquires, including ticket sales, should go to Ray Richardson of the Rotary Club on 01243 543701 or at [email protected]