BOXING fans cheered on local club members last Friday at a major tournament at the Lostock Sports and Social Club.

John Harrison, Lee Tomlinson and Ryan Dingle competed in three of the five bouts staged by the Boxing Fit Academy.

Ryan was victorious, while John and Lee lost out narrowly to their opponents at a packed evening which was hailed a great success.

“There were 350 people there, and the atmosphere was electric,” said Martin Dunwoody, who runs the club with Frank Collins.

“It was a very high standard of boxing, and our lads fought people who are vastly more experienced than them - they really raised their game for the crowd.

“People came from Crewe, Manchester, Blackburn, Bootle, Warrington and Nantwich, and I was very pleased with the number of local people who were there.

“It was a sell-out, and the sports and social club was a good choice for our first major event.

“We’re planning on having three or four tournaments a year, and are aiming to put on the next one at the end of March.”

One of the aims of the evening was to encourage people to join the club, which has 10 members, who train at Lostock Youth Club. For club details visit boxingfit-cheshire.co.uk.

The winning boxers received cups from Julia Tickridge, the Labour Parliamentary candidate for Weaver Vale.

There was a raffle in aid of charity, and the main prize was a signed photograph of professional boxer Manny Pacquiao.

The profits from the evening will be used to pay for repairs to the club, to buy equipment including weights, floor mats and steppers and to make a donation to charity.

Martin thanked the club and Merseyside and Cheshire ABA for their support, as well as Julia Tickridge for her backing and presenting the awards.

Julia said: “This was a brilliant sporting event for Northwich, and credit must go to Martin and Frank for organising such an exciting evening of boxing.

“I was impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication to sport and fitness shown by all those involved on the night. It was great to see how younger boxers, in particular, are able to channel their energies in such a positive way.

“I was inspired by seeing women compete in boxing for the first time at the London Olympics in 2012, and I’ll definitely be coming down to the club to start training in 2015!”