Regimental pride and explosive action at 1PWRR intercompany Forces Fight Night in Cyprus

Infantrymen from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment have stepped into the boxing ring in Cyprus.

Fighting for regimental pride and bragging rights, the intercompany boxing brings the soldiers as close to combat as they can get without stepping onto the battlefield.

Fourteen men from across A, B, C, Y, and HQ companies faced off in seven bouts of three rounds lasting three minutes each at the Pissouri Amphitheatre.

• Royal Navy win back Inter Service title after nail-biting Army clash at Allianz Stadium
• Niamh Brookes reveals Olympic dream on return to Army boxing gym after winning Welsh title
• Forces Fight Night: How to watch jaw-dropping British Army boxing final live

Ranging from lightweight, middleweight, and super heavyweight, the boxers were cheered on by their peers and senior officers.

Lieutenant Colonel Alex Cherry, Commanding Officer PWRR, said: "There's little else in sport that can get close to the close combat of the infantry and our core purpose in war fighting.

"Boxing gets us there.

"It also engenders the qualities and characteristics that we want in our infantry soldiers: determination, courage, and self-sacrifice."

Lt Col Cherry took over leadership of the battalion earlier this year, having already served in its ranks 10 years earlier as a platoon commander in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It's a privilege and honour to come back," he said. "It's as strong and culturally unique as it ever has been, and I'm proud to command it."

The Tigers are a light infantry regiment currently based at Episkopi Garrison in Cyprus with recruitment centred in and around London and the South of England.

Kept at high readiness, 1PWRR is the Army's Regional Standby Battalion stationed between Africa and the Middle East, capable of deployment anywhere in the world.

In the demanding role, letting off steam inside and outside the ring is necessary.

Private Tyler Lucas of Y Company won his fight in the middleweight category. The 22-year-old, who had never boxed before and won through stoppage in the second round, said: "I love the regiment; there's nothing but respect for it.

"I was in the ring, and it's hard not to focus on the crowd when you've got an opponent in front of you."

The battalion was joined by the new Commander of British Forces Cyprus, Major General Tom Bewick.

Also in the crowd was 'Big' Phil Campion, former 22 SAS and a Tiger, having served with the Royal Hampshire Regiment which, alongside the Queen's Regiment, amalgamated into The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

He said: "This is where I cut my teeth; with the Tigers. This display is what soldiering is all about, the stuff you join up for.

"Nights like this make your whole career. The lads are everything to me."

The boxers spent seven weeks training, three times a day, to prepare for their bouts.

Private Oscar Ives, 1PWRR's head coach, said: "As a boxer, especially someone new to the battalion, if you start boxing, everyone gives you that respect.

"It's not easy, if you haven't done it before, it is hard. No matter if you win or lose everyone will respect you for it."