CHEPSTOW Boxing Club head coach Steve Woods was buzzing after what he described as a “fantastic performance" by his young boxers at a show in Lydney on Friday, writes Bob Cypher.

“Two of our boxers had their first skills bouts and both were very impressive,” he said.

“Alfie Early (10) shared the ring with Sam Lathbury of Emeralds Boxing Club and 12-year-old Violet Crowther really showed she has what it takes to go a long way in this sport when she was in with Chloe Barker, also of Emeralds BC.

“Skills bouts are for two novice boxers who box each other but there is no winner, and if one is too strong the ref will ask them to ease up.

“Boxers in Wales can have up to a maximum of eight skills bouts before they have a proper contest.

“I like then to have one or two such bouts then get them competing as soon as possible, depending on how they are.

“Between the age of eight and 10 they can only do skills bouts and only four per season.

“I can’t express how impressed we were with Violet’s performance. She was extremely good and we all think she will go a long way in the sport.

“Then we had 15-year-old Kobe Huntley, in only his third competitive bout, dominate his bout from the start.

“Kobe took on Sam Hodgetts of Lydney BC, using his power, strength and accurate punches to dominate the fight from the bell, and after landing a peach of a left hook, Sam received a standing count.

“At the restart, Kobe was straight back onto him and the Lydney coach threw in the towel in round one.

“It was a great night for our club and we have a number of new boxers who are showing great potential.

“Violet is the only active female boxer representing a Monmouthshire club at present and I think her performance was what excited us coaches most.

“Next weekend we have Joseph Dunster and Jake Richards doing skills bouts at at the Bromyard show."