RAF Boxing Team Vs Metropolitan Police

On the 10th Oct 07 members of Royal Air Force Odiham and Benson Boxing Clubs represented the Royal Air Force Boxing Team in an evening of boxing against the Metropolitan (Met) Police Boxing Team. The event took place at the Bushey Metropolitan Sports club in Watford and the boxing commenced at 2100hrs.

After the obligatory weigh-in and doctors inspection, the boxers where matched against the opponents, as a result we had a healthy 5 bouts lined up, and these are as follows.

Bout 1: SAC Kerrie Moreland-Francis (RAF Odiham) Vs PC Luiza Drabik (Met Police)

This was a female lightweight contest, with both boxers making their debut; SAC Moreland-Francis was the taller boxer with a long reach, which was an invaluable tool that she used to great effect through out the fight. In the first round SAC Moreland-Francis moved very effectively and worked of the jab, pushing her opponent back with a flurry of shots. Both boxers were very technical and created effective chances throughout the first round.

After a coaching brief from the Team Manager WO Les Hotson at the end of the first round, Moreland-Francis came out for the second round as equally determined as the first. She was using countless straight shots, which were rocking back the head of Drabik; this however did not deter the young policewoman as she found her own momentum by working on the inside.

The third round was as equally well contested, as both boxers thrilled the audience with their skill, technique, courage and bravery. It was an extremely close fight, and after the judges deliberating PC Luiza Drabik got the decision, but both boxers were congratulated and given a huge round of applause.

Bout 2: LAC Jase Coopey (RAF Odiham) Vs SAC Carl Fawkes (RAF Benson)

This was a good little middleweight contest from the start; LAC Coopey is a tall and rangy young man who works well on the outside. He adopted this stance from the outset, and utilised his long range initially to good effect, keeping SAC Fawkes on the end of his jab. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before the more experienced boxer in SAC Fawkes worked his way through the jab, countering with good effect to both the body and head with fast accurate shots.

In the second round, realising he was behind on points, the young LAC Coopey increased his work rate, only to be met with a very focused and determined opponent in SAC Fawkes, who exercised a flurry of fast and accurate punches. This did not deter Coopey however who would use to his jab and right hand to good effect and stopping Fawkes on his way in.

Fawkes was more resolute however and after effectively utilising his faster hand speed, he caught Coopey with a combination of shots, resulting in a standing count. Coopey was unhurt, but this standing count gave Fawkes the incentive, he increased his work rate and 20 seconds later a left hook and right cross combination was enough to give Coopey another standing count and the referee stopped the competition.

Bout 3: SAC Richie Innes (RAF Benson) Vs PC Ian Ball (Met Police)

This Middleweight contest was very evenly matched and in the 1st round there was very little to separate them. The policeman Ball used his jab to good effect and at times backed Innes against the ropes, Innes however was equally resolute and used straight counter punches to back up Ball.

The 2nd round was equally as skilled and exciting; Innes took the centre of the ring and both boxers switched with powerful shoots to both the body and head. Innes worked a straight right hand to the body and then switched to a left hook to the head, which caught Ball square on, but to his credit Ball remained composed and saved him from being awarded a standing count. Innes jab was the most effective punch in this round and he worked well of it, rocking the head of Ball back.

The 3rd round was a gritty and hard-hitting round as both boxers worked to attract the judge’s eye. As the round continued both boxers tired, but this did not stop either of them digging deep, resulting them both in finding their target, consequential leaving very little between them and this was reflected in the result, with PC Ball being awarded the contest on a majority decision.

Bout 4: SAC Steve Lythall (RAF Benson) Vs PC John Powell (Met Police)

This fight was a Light Heavyweight contest again with both boxers very equally matched. Lythall a southpaw worked his right handed jab to good effect in the 1st and this resulted in a lot of in close work from Powell to try and nullify its effect. Lyhtall was being more effective in the round, but by the end there was very little to separate them.

In the 2nd round Lythall confidence grew, he determinedly pushed forward catching Powell with some cracking shots, Powell was strong, but his confidence must have been dented when he had a point taken from him for holding his head to low. This spurred on Lythall as he let loose a 32 shot combination resulting in Powell being awarded a standing count. Immediately after the count Lythall through a straight right hand which Powell walked onto and sent him crashing to the canvas. Although Powell was on his feet at the count of 4, the referee had seen enough, stopping the contest declaring Lythall as the winner.

Bout 5: Cpl Jim Ralph (RAF Benson) Vs PC Chris Wall (Met Police)

This was the final bout of the night as the Super Heavyweights entered the ring and what a fight. These lads punch extremely hard and both and after both trading hard jabs Ralph caught Wall with a left and right hook to the head combination, this gave Wall a standing 8 count. 10 seconds later Wall released a punishing right hook and caught Ralph coming in, this gave Ralph then a standing 8. The 1st round finished with both boxers respecting the others power.

The 2nd round was a testing one, as both boxers worked hard, but Wall was the fitter man and this was evident as the round continued. Ralph’s hands were dropping and this resulted in him getting caught with a straight right hand, inflicting another standing 8 and this resulted in the referee stopping the contest in favour of the winner in the red corner, PC Wall.

The night was an enjoyable and rewarding one for all members of the team, as whether they had won or lost (which in almost all matches could have gone either way) they were all novices and had gained invaluable experience. This was also the first time many of them had boxed on the civilian circuit, so it had not only strengthened them as individuals, but also has given the RAF Team more depth.