2 PARA win hard-hitting Army boxing final

2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment have been crowned Army boxing champions for 2023 after a dramatic night of action in Aldershot.

The final saw 2 PARA take on 1 Royal Anglian Regiment, who are based in Cyprus, in front of a passionate audience at the Army Combat Centre.

The first half of the night saw a close contest with the scores level at the interval, but 2 PARA pulled away to win the title by a 5-4 score on the night.

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The first fight of the night saw Private Dylan Murdough get 2 PARA off to a good start with a unanimous decision win over Private Alex Mason.

It was just what the loud Parachute Regiment crowd wanted but 1 Royal Anglian soon fought back with Private Lucas Forington beating Private Michael Cummins unanimously.

The Cypriot momentum continued when Private Indy Cuthbert fought the much taller Private Dan Dolan but beat him on a unanimous decision.

With an interval looming, 2 PARA needed to win to not go into the break behind.

Fortunately for them, Corporal Zak Andrews was awarded the contest against Lance Corporal Kieran Cocker by a split decision that caused some debate in the arena.

After the break, 2 PARA called on some of their experienced boxers and they took them to the title.

Wins for Private Ryan Walker and Private Joe Drury left it for Lance Corporal Tony Jones to finish off their opponents from Cyprus.

LCpl Jones, who won the deciding bout when 2 PARA won in 2018, repeated history with a unanimous decision win over Private Brodie Farrell.

There were still two fights left and, while Corporal Danny Call and Private Barry Diggins both picked up a victory for 1 Royal Anglian, it wasn't to be for them on their big night.

Full results:

Private Dylan Murdough (2 PARA) beat Private Alex Mason (1RAR)  - 57kg - Unanimous Decision

Private Lucas Forington (1RAR) beat Private Michael Cummins (2 PARA) - 63kg - Unanimous Decision

Private Indy Cuthbert (1RAR) beat Private Dan Dolan (2 PARA) - 67kg - Unanimous Decision

Corporal Zak Andrews (2 PARA) beat Lance Corporal Kieran Cocker (1RAR)  - 71kg - Split Decision

Private Ryan Walker (2 PARA) beat Private Jack Lovesey (1RAR) - 75kg - Split Decision

Private Joe Drury (2 PARA) beat Lance Corporal Charlie Maryon (1RAR) - 80kg - Split Decision

Lance Corporal Tony Jones (2 PARA) beat Private Brodie Farrell (1RAR) - 86kg - Unanimous Decision

Corporal Danny Call (1RAR) beat Private Ed Unden (2 PARA) - 92kg - Split Decision

Private Barry Diggins (1RAR) beat Corporal Liam Lindsay (2 PARA) - 100kg - Split Decision