RAF IN ACTION
Air Force boxers tackle Jamaican and US servicemen in Bermuda, writes Scott Boland
ROYAL AIR FORCE BOXING enjoyed a 4-2 win against their Jamaican Defence Force and US Navy counterparts during a recent September tour of Bermuda. A plan 18 months in the making, and brainchild of Vice President Patrick O’donnell and Exec Secretary Andy Parker, saw a mixture of elite and novice boxers travel the 3500 miles to the British Overseas Territory. With two nights of action scheduled, one was unfortunately cancelled due to the tragic events in the Caribbean, with the Saturday gala going ahead as planned in the capital, Hamilton.
The first bout saw heavyweight
Dan Smith call on every energy reserve in a gruelling bout against his US Navy opponent, Charles Patterson, which the sailor took on a points decision.
Welterweight Pete Todd then dominated his Jamaican opponent
Rolando Rattray in the opening stanza of their 69kgs contest. The first would be the last with Rattray retired by his corner.
James Forman had an actionpacked welterweight battle against
Kevanne Willis of the JDF, with Forman adjudged the points victor. Next up, 18 year old light-heavy Sonny Coates took on a much older and highly experienced Jamaican in Ian Darby. Despite Coates rarely taking a backward step, Darby’s guile and movement proved just too much and the JDF took their only win of the night.
The evening would conclude with two boxing masterclasses from bantamweight Ricki Lyon
and light-welter Keiran Bailey.
Nephew of famed amateur John Lyon, Ricki’s exquisite footwork, lateral movement and flashy counters saw him a wide winner over the JDF’S Marvin Shea, meanwhile Bailey’s relentless pressure and ringcraft won him a unanimous verdict over his opponent, Patrick Sahadeo.
Whilst in Bermuda, the team visited five schools and academies on the island, delivering team building exercises and activities whilst selling the positives of the sport to potential future participants.
Andy Parker said, “This was an unmissable opportunity for our boxers to test themselves internationally and an unforgettable experience for all. Whilst mainly self-funded, such a tour would be impossible without assistance from our own sports board and chain of command so our heartfelt thanks go to them, our fantastic hosts the Royal Bermuda Regiment and of course, the Jamaican Defence Force for providing such a high standard of opponent.”
With seven entries in this year’s Development Championships the RAFBA will be confident that the tour can serve as a catalyst for the season ahead.
RICKI LYON, JOHN LYON’S NEPHEW, DELIVERED A BOXING MASTERCLASS