Air Force boxers pack a punch as RAF Cranwell hosts Lord Wakefield Championships

The RAF showcased their best boxing stars at the 2025 Lord Wakefield Championships at RAF Cranwell.

The event, which serves as the service's boxing championship, is the 106th edition in history and was headlined by a heavyweight clash between Lance Corporal Oliver Watkins from RAF Honington and Corporal Ben Gurnell from RAF Brize Norton.

The action saw a number of thumping punches laid in, and it was Watkins who celebrated victory by a referee's stoppage in the third round to become the champion.

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Elsewhere, RAF Marham's Air Specialist Class 1 Danny Ellis, RAF Wyton's Air Specialist Class 1 Todd Samways and RAF Odiham's Air Specialist Class 1 Alex Cross all picked up unanimous points decision wins with classy displays.

The only split decision of the night saw Air Specialist Class 1 Callum Balzaretti from RAF Wittering beat RAF Marham's Air Specialist Class 1 Frankie Watmore, while the winners of the unit trophy was RAF Odiham.

During the competition, the RAF held a Class A 80kg Youth Championship bout for the first time at the Lord Wakefield Championships, which was won by RAF Odiham's Air Specialist Class 1 Bradley Higgs.