A packed Hippodrome was treated to a feast of the very best of amateur boxing on Saturday.

Great Yarmouth’s Kingfisher Amateur Boxing Club produced an afternoon of thrills, grit, and endeavour as they showcased all that is so good about grassroots sport.

The historic venue hosted a Kingfisher show for the first time in more than 50 years and didn’t disappoint the near capacity crowd.

All 17 bouts were closely contested.

First up for Kingfishers was Clay Nicholas who contested the Eastern Counties Junior Cadet under 57kg final against the experienced George Liddard from Essex. The gulf in experience ultimately showed over three rounds and the Essex boxer progressed to the national quarter-finals.

Kingfisher schoolboy Charlie Hyde moved well, rolling under his much taller opponent’s long jab to try to work inside. The Halstead boxer Hughes was tricky and stuck to a game plan, frustrating the Yarmouth lad as he tried to score. The three rounds were close and the experience Charlie will have gained from this bout will prove valuable in his future development despite losing on points.

Sonny Colman faced Josh Cameron from Norwich, also having his first bout. This contest swung both ways but the judges ultimately gave the contest the way of the Norwich boxer.

Kingfisher senior Sebastian Forlita, boxing at 64kg, was looking to continue his fine form from last season against Owen Blunden from Norwich Lads. The Kingfisher boxer clearly won the first round. Blunden shaded a close second round setting up a grandstand finish. It was difficult to split the boxers but Blunden caught the judges’ eye and recorded a split decision.

Finishing the show and leading the quest for a Kingfisher victory was Billy Potter, boxing his first bout in two years. Billy was matched with Thetford’s Michael Jordan at 79kg. As Billy tired in the third, the round swung Jordan’s way and Billy was given two standing eight counts but had earlier done enough to take the bout by a split decision.

Plans are being made for a return to the Hippodrome later this year.