It was a knock-out night when Larches and Savick Boxing Club held their annual Boxing Dinner Show at Park Hall last week.

Now in its 16th year, this is the club’s main fundraising event, and all proceeds from the evening go towards helping the popular gym stay open so it can keep providing a top quality fitness facility for the local area.

Advertisements

The show began at 8pm and all those who’d purchased tickets were treated to eight fights, a three course meal, a raffle, an auction and live entertainment in the form of band, The Funtime Frankies, and DJ Stuart Swindle.

As well as raising money, the annual Boxing Dinner is a way of saying thank you to all those who put time and effort into supporting the club; and this year’s show was dedicated to Mick Chapman and ‘Brummy’ Mick Rogers, two of the club’s well-loved coaches, both whom sadly passed away recently.

Since its inception in 2002, Larches and Savick ABC has received funding and sponsorship from local businesses; and it’s this funding and sponsorship, along with the hard work of all the coaches and volunteers, that have helped keep it running.

Read more: How Larches and Savick boxing is gaining a cult following for its gym

The club has also had a significant impact on the local area and has been instrumental in reducing crime rates on the Larches estate by around 75%.

And not only that, it has produced some world-class boxers too, such as Commonwealth Gold Medalist, Scott Fitzgerald, and AIBA Silver Medalist, Lisa Whiteside.

Having now turned pro under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions, Scott is leading a very successful and promising career in the sport and has the club to thank for giving him a great start.

He said: “The annual event at Park Hall is a great show to box on.

“I had two fights and two wins in these shows and have got some really good memories of them – it’s where it all begins really.”

Three other boxers from the club have also recently turned professional – Ben Swarbrick, Adam Simpson, and Damien Chambers, and they are certainly ones to look out for.

There were eight fights in total on the night, with lads from Larches and Savick squaring-up against competitors from other clubs across the region.

And with fights from junior boxers as young as 11, right up to seniors, it was clear to see that the Preston-based club is inclusive of all ages and promotes the tough discipline the sport demands.

Co-owner of Larches and Savick ABC, Jimmy Moon, said: “We expect to raise around £18,000 from the show, with all the money going back into the club to keep it running all year round.

“And the money doesn’t just go on new equipment such as pads and gloves, and keeping the bills paid; it goes on paying for boxing licences and travel expenses, and courses for our coaches, to ensure they’re fully qualified and registered with England Boxing.”

President of the club, Tommy Gallagher, who is also one of the main sponsors of the Park Hall show, said that the reason he sponsors the club and the annual event is mainly because of the kids: “It’s so they’ve got somewhere to go where they can learn discipline, respect, and ultimately stay safe.”

Read more: Bikers to ride out for Preston RSPCA this Christmas

During the interval, before the final three fights of the night, there was presentation made in honour of Mick Chapman, and an auction took place where bidders fought it out for signed football shirts, weekend breaks, cooking lessons, and plenty of boxing memorabilia.

One generous bidder even paid £1,300 for a boxing glove signed by Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno after their famous bout in 1996, the title fight that ended Bruno’s career.

Advertisements

Highlight of the night though was in the final bout, when Larches boxer, Dean Watkinson, came away with a sensational victory in his fight with Mohammed Faisal, winning by KO in the second round.

Co-owner of the club, Dave Fitzgerald, said: “We’ve done this show for 16 years and it’s our main way of raising money.

“It’s been a great success up to now so we hope to carry on doing it to keep the boxing club running all year round.”

If you’d like to get involved with boxing or would like more information on the club and its achievements visit the Facebook page @larchesandsavickboxing or call 01772385371.