Around 300 people packed out Harwich Amateur Boxing Club's first-ever show to make it an outstanding success.

Already talk is of making it an annual event after organiser Martin Webb said: "It couldn't have gone better."

In all 17 fights were held at Dovercourt Haven Caravan Camp, involving a number of north Essex fighters.

Webb said: "There's every possibility of staging another one at a similar time next year, but it will be a hard act to follow.

"It's took three months to get it like that. Personally I've lived, eaten and drunk it."

The home club's boxers had a good night, four out of six winning including all three juniors.

Thirteen-year-old Matt Jacobs produced the most explosive performance. He knocked out opponent Dean Snow within ten seconds of the opening round to make it three wins from four fights.

Brother Tom, 11, was on top from the start against Finchley's Ashley Sexton and got a deserved points decision.

Marcus Poston, who later picked up an award for best Harwich boxer, edged a majority points verdict to gain revenge on West Ham's Billy Page who had beaten him earlier in the season.

Also on the junior bill, Colchester debutant Craig Minter stopped his opponent, East Ham's David Graham, with an fine punching display.

Another Colchester fighter, Lee Purdy also won, gaining a tight but unanimous decision against Carl Maroney.

Lloyd Ottee, of Colchester-based Castle ABC, lost his youth bout on points. Home town senior middleweight Craig Todd got the biggest reception of the evening for his fight against Army man Jim Hickman.

Todd forced a standing count in the first as he took control but a poor third round cost him dear, Hickman's powerful left hands knocking him down once and forcing a standing count to win a majority decision.

Harwich's Nathan Proctor stopped Lowestoft's John Ezobi who was surprised at the referee's decision, but Proctor's club mate Jason Flicker was edged out by Colchester's Paul Carrington despite a strong final round.

There was also a points win for Colchester's Ken Woodbury, but defeat for Steve Covey of Castle ABC.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.