FILLINGHAM SEALS VICTORY

Jamie Ingleby reports on an excellent Royal Marines match against their American rivals

THE Royal Marines boxing team took on a team from the United States Marines Corps on Thursday May 3 in Lympstone, their spiritual home in Devon. The evening was made up of 10 bouts; seven bouts pitting the boxers from the UK against their counterparts from across the Atlantic and three supporting contests.

The opening bout, an exhibition that was fought at a fast pace between Raheen Ali of the Royal Navy representing the Royal Marines and Kamuel Sanchez.

In one of the performances of the evening, Ali used the ring space to counter the on-coming Sanchez, whose pressure was relentless from start to finish.

In the opening contest of the team match Joshua Vera got the men from the United States off to a winning start, getting the nod over his British counterpart, Dan Bitks.

A couple of all-action contests featured prior to the interval - Declan Lonergan getting a stoppage victory and Danny Smith

getting the nod in an exciting matchup over visitors, Valdez and George Camden respectively.

In an exciting supporting heavyweight contest, Royal Marine Mccormack Farrell produced a third round stoppage win over REME boxer Mason Small. In an exciting bout which saw both men trade punches, the taller man Farrell took the win with accurate straight punches. It is worth noting that Small took the bout at less than 24 hours’ notice as a late replacement, and should be commended for his performance.

A return to the action in the team match followed; Alex Mcgough recorded a quick win for the UK and Ji Lim Boxed his way to victory for the US, leaving it level going into the final bout.

With the team dual in the balance at 3-3 going into the last bout, Lance Bombardier Ryan Fillingham [pictured with the team], on loan from the Army sealed the victory for the Royal Marines side. In an entertaining bout which saw USMC boxer Felipe Ninofernandez attempt to meet the Army puncher head on. Unfortunately the visitor found this to be no easy task, coming off second best and fortunate to hear the final bell. RESULTS (Royal Marines first) RAHEEN ALI bt Kamuel Sanchez, Dan Birks bt by JOSHUA VERA, DECLAN LONERGAN bt Valdez, DANNY SMITH bt George Camden, Auden Thompson bt by KREED GENTZ, MCORMACK FARRELL bt Mason Small, Chris Murray bt by JI LIM, ALEX MCGOUGH bt Mike Captain, RYAN FILLINGHAM bt Felipe Ninofernandez.