NEWPORT Phoenix head coach Mike Voisey didn’t pull any punches with the Isle of Wight’s first amateur boxing show in a decade.

A crowd of around 350 enjoyed a bill of 12 three-round bouts from the best of Newport and Ryde boxing clubs against tough, but well-matched mainland opposition at Newport’s Medina Leisure Centre on Saturday evening.

There were a number of highlights, with eight of the Islanders winning and some close defeats for the other four.

Isle of Wight County Press: Alkit Ferati (in blue), of Newport Phoenix ABC, in action against Fareham’s Ryan Light. Alkit Ferati (in blue), of Newport Phoenix ABC, in action against Fareham’s Ryan Light.

Newport Phoenix boxer Liam Noonan, 28, beat George Teague-Smith (Bar ABC) on points in a high octane contest, with both testing each other constantly — the Islander ultimately having to dig deep to gain his victory.

Ryde’s Calum Rundal-Kearns, 18, fought superbly to win his bout against Veli Bulbul (Heart of Portsmouth) on points, while club-mate, Dave Mears, 31, showed great heart to come back from two standing counts in the first round to earn a victory on points against Toby Saunders (Brighton and Hove). 

Zoe Portsmouth, 27, dominated her fight against Xingyn Zhoa (Gym 01) — earning a first round RSC (referee stops the contest) to make history and become the first female to win for Newport Phoenix.

Mike said: “It was a superb performance to get a first round stoppage win. Zoe is improving all the time.

“She has stepped up to the plate and looked mentally prepared for it.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Alkit Ferati (in blue), of Newport Phoenix ABC, in action against Fareham’s Ryan Light. Alkit Ferati (in blue), of Newport Phoenix ABC, in action against Fareham’s Ryan Light.

Another highlight was the fight of Zoe’s club-mate, Jack Murphy, 18, who attends Ryde Academy.

Jack boxed superbly against talented Ben Gale (Fishergate ABC), with both boxers giving everything and showed great skill, with the Islander eventually losing it on points.

In the final bout, Newport’s George Borrett, 27, ended a great night of boxing with a storming finish — never letting his opponent get settled as he won on points.

Winning their fights on points were Christ the King College student, Jacob Wilkins (Ryde), who beat Tyler Wheeler (Brighton and Hove); Ryde Academy student Alkit Ferati, 15 (Newport), beat Ryan Light (Fareham) and Kieron Illman, 17 (Newport), who attends the Army Preparation College, defeated Reece Simpson (Fishergate).

Isle of Wight County Press:

The following lost on points — Christ the King’s Luke Chessell (Newport), 17; Ben Burffit (Newport), 38; and Charlie Leonard (Newport), 22.

Midway through the show, retired boxing coach, Derek Wolfe, returned to the ring — albeit briefly — to receive a special accolade in appreciation for what he has done for amateur boxing on the Island for nigh on 60 years.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Mike was delighted by how well the evening went.

“The show was a great success for English amateur boxing on the Island and we will 100 per cent be doing this again in the future,” he said.

“Medina Leisure Centre certainly want it back.

Isle of Wight County Press:

“The crowd — and myself included — were amazed by the quality of boxing against good mainland clubs.

“It has been a big learning curve organising an event on this scale, but at the end of the day, it went well.

“It was absolutely brilliant to see our younger Islanders box their little hearts out. It will be a night they will never forget. It was worth all the stress setting it up.”