WITH 12 bouts on the card, the Pat Ryan Dinner at the Ringside at Forum 28 was once again a great success, writes DAVE SEAR .

The spectators in the packed venue were treated to contests involving girls, youngsters taking their first steps into the ring, more experienced youths and some elite category pugilists in the Furness Catholic ABC-organised event.

As is traditional, skills contests involving novice boxers opened proceedings, with Jay Wilson of the host club putting in a good display against Leon Bastow, from Tyldsley Centurions.

Wilson was followed into the ring by fellow club member Jaye Helyer, who proved that ladies certainly can box as she took on Taylor Goulden, from the Tameside club.

The fight of the night featured local junior Evan Jones taking on Ryan Dickens, of Liverpool club Salisbury ABC, over three rounds.

The pair had fought previously, when Jones had put Dickens on the floor in the first round but then lost out to a controversial decision on points.

Dickens then went on to become an English Schoolboy and Three Nations champion. This year he represented England in the European Schoolboy Championships in Zagreb, where he picked up the bronze medal. A fighter building up an impressive ring CV.

The bout was fast, furious and full of incident.

Jones appeared to just edge the first two rounds as he landed the better punches, but in the third got caught with a right and had to taking a standing count. This swung the decision in favour of the Liverpudlian, who was awarded the win.

The mutual respect they had for each other was plain to see as they embraced after the final bell and chatted like best friends as they went up to collect their trophies.

It was just what the audience wanted to see, a ferocious contest followed by great sportsmanship. If it had been a professional bout, there would be a huge demand for tickets for the rematch.

Also on the bill was local lad Lochlan Gosling, who took on Clayton Paterson, from Doncaster.

With a longer reach and showing good technique, Gosling was given the verdict on a unanimous decision.

There was a lot to admire in his opponent’s effort, as he never backed down and came on gamely even though he could not overcome the reach advantage of the Furness fighter.

The host club were also represented by Xander Paramore, Ryan Gilroy and Josh Moorby.

Paramore’s opponent in the schoolboy category was Owen Strickland, from Preston-based Larches and Savick ABC.

Strickland was the bigger of the pair and from the outset was on the front-foot, taking the fight to his opponent in an aggressive style.

Parramore did well to absorb a lot of punishment and managed to land some counting blows of his own in counter-attack, but in the end succumbed to a TKO.

Gilroy and Moorby were both involved in senior contests, with the former up first against Quassim Muhammad, from Longsight.

The visitor had the advantage of reach, but Gilroy showed great determination to burst into action with flurries of good punches in a nip and tuck contest. The decision was a majority one in favour of Muhammad.

Another opponent from Longsight in the shape of Samilluah Rahimi awaited Moorby.

It proved another all-action bout as both protagonists were willing to take a few blows to get one in themselves.

Both boxers showed the signs of the fray, with Moorby bleeding heavily from his nose. The decision went to the judges, who awarded it to Rahimi.

Team Ryan can be proud not only of their efforts in putting on the event but their work over the years in coaching and nurturing local boxers.

Sadly the team is one down, with Kevin Ryan having passed away earlier this year.

Before the bouts commenced, the audience stood in silence while the ring bell was sounded 10 times in his memory. The spontaneous applause that followed was probably the loudest of the evening.