MARCH Amateur Boxing Club coach Bernie Wing admitted the future is bright for boxing in Fenland even though history wasn’t made at the club’s sold-out show on Friday night.

Boxing fans packed the March Braza for Vicky Larham’s debut bout - but were left disappointed after her 18-year-old opponent, Chelsea Grant, was pulled out of the contest by her coach after weighing in under her carded weight of 67kg.

Larham was set to be the first female to don the gloves for March ABC in its 61-year history.

“I was sick as a pig because there were so many people who had come to see her make history,” said Wing.

“She was so devastated about it because all of her friends came to watch but I guess these things can happen.

“We still had a stunning night and Charlie’s (Stevens) performance more than made up for it. I’d love to see that match again because it was a brilliant fight.

“He’s a very cool customer and there’s more to come from him. The future is really bright, we’ve got a lot of talent coming through and there’s always a schoolboy from March at most events.

“You’ve obviously got Jordan Gill of Chatteris who has won a national title and there are a lot of other talented youngsters around the area who look good prospects.

“Massive credit needs to go to David Cole who works his butt off for our club and takes the youngsters to spar all across the country.

“It was a fantastic evening and everyone’s been ringing me since to say what a night it was - so the main thing is everyone went home happy in the end.”

Boxing legend Dave ‘Boy’ Green was the guest of honour at the event.

Charlie Stevens was the standout performer as he destroyed Jordan Laming of Willenhall in the pick of the evening’s action.

The 16-year-old, who was crowned best March ABC boxer of the evening and 2009-2010 Best Mid-Anglia Schoolboy, traded massive blows with Laming and impressed throughout with his offensive approach.

Even though he was bloodied in the final round Stevens had dominated the bout with a constant barrage of right and left hands and comfortably deserved his unanimous victory.

His younger brother, Cole, 12, also tasted success as he defeated George Rourke of Bletchley ABC by a majority decision.

The March ABC youngster landed a cracking right in the first round but the rest of the fight was fairly even with Rourke doing his best to break Stevens’ momentum.

There was a third victory for the club when Conor Crosby defeated Nick Tipler by unanimous decision.

Crosby boxed intelligently and took control in the first round with a number of quick-jab combinations. Tipler came back into the fight as the bout progressed but never really got on top of the March boxer who dominated the fight for large parts.

However, one March ABC fighter, Danny Hedges, did suffer a defeat even though he flew out of the traps in the opening round during his fight with Haddenham’s Jack Hall.

Hedges eventually tired and lost on a unanimous decision - even though the bout appeared to be quite even throughout.

Chatteris ABC’s Jordan Tilsley put on a fine show with Joe Burdett but lost by unanimous decision and Ross Howes delighted his vociferous travelling support from Stevenage when he clinched victory in the final bout of a fantastic evening’s boxing.

Other results

Conor Blockley (Earls Shilton) beat Liam Godard (Kingfisher) by majority decision.

Noel Gilbert (Earls Shilton) beat James Burman (Chalverdon) who retired.

Lewis Booth (Doncaster) beat Shaun Bruce (Earls Shilton) by majority decision.

George Crotty (Stevenage) beat Conor Robson (Bulkington) by majority decision.

• Two other awards were presented by Dave ‘Boy’ Green at the start of the night. Mark Crosby picked up the most successful March boxer of the 2009-2010 season award after winning seven out of seven bouts during the campaign. Ambrose Draper collected the most improved March boxer of the year award.