Head coach Sgt Chez Nihell (RAPTC) was frustrated at seeing three of his fighters handed walkover victories at the UK Armed Forces Boxing Championships – despite the army securing a fifth successive team title.
Pte Lewis Harvey (RLC), LCpl Leon Moulds (REME) and Sig Tobi Lawal (R Signals) all claimed wins without setting foot in the ring at RAF Honington, meaning the defending champions only needed to triumph in one of the night’s six bouts to retain the trophy, and two to claim it outright.
Fus Matty Calderwood (RRF) had the first opportunity to do just that as he locked horns with AR Jaydon Johnson (RAF) – an opponent he defeated in last year’s showdown. But after a strong opening round the soldier was pegged back, and it was his rival who eventually took the contest on a split decision.
The result saw the baton passed to Pte Dylan Swales (RLC) and the 67kg star duly delivered as he defeated AS1 Blaine Lambert (RAF), also on a split decision.
The outcome was even more impressive given the fact Swales came into the competition on the back of a lengthy injury layoff, and it was his first action at welterweight. He also faced an experienced fighter with more than 100 bouts to his name.
LCpl Marc Thompson (RRF) then lost to Cpl Aaron Devine (RAF) via a unanimous verdict – an outcome matched by Spr Marley Devitt (RE) as he squared off against Team GB’s Cpl Kyle Shaw-Tullin (RM).
The Royal Air Force saw Sgt Cameron Lewis triumph over Mne Connor Fanning (RM) at 80kg in the penultimate fight, which meant the hosts – who were also handed a walkover win – moved level with the army on four bouts each.
But Pte Kieran Cooper (RLC) ended the night on a high as he sealed a unanimous victory over Mne Dominik Zieba (RM).
“There is a lot of pressure going into this competition, so we are relieved,” Nihell told SoldierSport afterwards. “But there is no time to celebrate or relax – we are straight back in preparing for the English National Amateur Championships.
“The walkovers are frustrating. They did their jobs, made the weight and were ready to go. We want all our boxers to compete – not win by walkover – but we cannot control who the RAF and Royal Navy enter.
“We got over the line and I was pleased with our performances.
“Dylan Swales moved up to 67kg just three weeks before and has not boxed all season due to injury, but he delivered.
“Marley Devitt had a barnstormer. He fought the national champion from last season and battled throughout, while Marc Thompson came out of retirement to help us.
“He has been coaching The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers but has come down for the odd spar and has followed our programme while training his own team.
“I thought he was unlucky; we had him winning the first round hands down. But Aaron Devine is a Scottish champion, and Marc did well considering he only had three months to prepare.
“There were no doubts with Kieran Cooper. He boxed brilliantly, fighting at range and picking his shots. He stuck to the gameplan and got the job done.
“We had already retained the trophy but wanted to be up on the scorecard. We’ve only lost once in 40 years and everyone is looking at us – I’m delighted for the team and the coaches.”
Elsewhere on the card, Capt Rachel Rose (AGC (SPS)) lost to the navy’s LPT Billie Matthews in a qualifying bout for the national amateur championships.
