IT WAS disappointment for local boxer Joe Skyrme in his top-of-the-bill contest against Dean English of Carlisle at the Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange over Sands, writes DAVE SEAR .

The Barrow Amateur Boxing Club fighter can take pride in not taking a backward step in what was an epic three rounder of non-stop action at the South Lakeland Freemasons dinner and boxing event.

On another day, Skyrme may well have been given the decision as he had taken the fight to English in all three rounds and managed to land plenty of punches.

The judges must have felt that the punches of English which did find their target were of a better quality.

It was so close a contest that whoever lost the decision would naturally feel aggrieved.

The bout proved a fitting end to a superb evening of boxing organised by the Furness and South Lakeland Freemasons, under the auspices of Kendal ABC.

There were 13 contests in all, with boxers from Furness featuring heavily.

The first of the local representatives was Jay Wilson, of Furness Catholic ABC, who took part in a skills contest against Cameron Horrocks, of Bolton-based Metro.

It was Wilson’s second time in the ring and he showed great promise.

Next up out of the Barrow ABC stable was Connor Braithwaite in a schoolboy contest against Lewis Watson, from Penrith, and this was another all-action bout.

Going into the third round, Braithwaite must have realised he was behind on the cards and redoubled his efforts to try to make up the ground.

Both fighters looked tired from the energy they had put into the previous two rounds, but that did not stop him forcing his way forward.

Braithwaite landed a lot of punches, but in his desire to attack he left himself open to return fire. In the end, it was to no avail as Watson got the decision from the judges.

In another display of fast and furious pugilism, Barrow ABC's Ethan Doyle took on Connor Taylor, from Manchester’s’ Jimmy Egan Boxing Club.

Doyle was the more aggressive and accurate of the boxers throughout the three rounds. He did not get it all his own way though as Taylor showed that he had plenty to offer and was a threat throughout the bout.

When the decision was announced, Barrow trainer Jeff Moses was delighted to see Doyle’s arm raised in victory.

The final sums have yet to be calculated, but it is anticipated that the evening will see the Freemasons of Furness raise in the region of £7,000 to £8,000 for charity to add to the £180,000 which has already been raised over the 31 years of the event.

The other exciting bouts on the night involved combatants from Kendal, Whitehaven, Ambleside and further afield.

The venue has already been booked for 2018. The quality of the boxing on display this year should ensure that everyone will be coming back for more to make it once again a sell-out event.