WALCOT’S boxing jockey Felix De Giles prepared for a big week of jump racing in the best possible way with victory in the ring at the Supermarine Sports and Social Club, writes Dave Veysey.

The 24-year-old headlined the Walcot event, just a day before riding Umberto D’olivate at Sandown on Saturday, and took his tally to five wins from six contests with a gritty points victory over Bristol rival Joe Burman.

After two close rounds the former Nicky Henderson conditional jockey increased his workrate during the final session to win by a unanimous points verdict.

The 12-bout bill was made up of eight fights involving Walcot boxers, and four Western Counties Junior Final contests.

Ten-year-old Sammy Harris started the ball rolling for the host club with an entertaining exhibition bout with Gloucester’s Harry Brazil.

Despite giving away age, weight and experience, the pint-sized terrier kept busy and acquitted himself well throughout the three rounds.

Fourteen-year-old Johnny McDonagh made an impressive comeback after a year out of the ring, blitzing Avalon’s Joel Garrett in under a round.

From the opening bell of this bantamweight contest, the taller Garrett attempted to use his reach advantage to keep McDonagh at bay with left jabs.

But the talented Walcot boxer kept close to his opponent and a minute into the round landed with a telling left hook which floored the Avalon man.

Garrett bravely beat the count but another heavy blow landed soon afterwards which prompted his corner to throw in the towel after 85 seconds.

There were also some heroic performances in defeat for the host club boxers.

Seventeen-year-old Orgest Peroshi can consider himself unlucky to have lost out to Zak Pearce from the Empire Boxing Club in Bristol.

In a hard-fought encounter the Wroughton-based Albanian appear to shade it – but it was the Bristolian who had his arm raised by the referee.

Bill Harris was involved in a terrific tussle with Pinewood’s Reece Taylor.

Both 11-year-olds gave everything over three rounds, with Taylor edging the result on points.

Hannah O’Brien made her ring debut against Droitwich’s Sophie Morton.

Morton’s ring experience told and despite lots of effort from the 13-year-old Swindonian the sharper punches were landed by her opponent, who won by a unanimous points margin.

Eleven-year-old Fred Bond was involved in a re-match with Malmesbury rival Aiden Hirst, who avenged his defeat from their previous meeting.

Bringing the curtain down on a great night of boxing was 28-year-old Fred De Giles against Brett Weaving of Devizes ABC in a 70kgs clash.

Both boxers went at it hammer and tongs for three exciting rounds, which thrilled the large crowd who had stayed to the end.

At the final bell it was Weaving who was awarded a unanimous points victory, but a re-match has already been arranged in Devizes for next month.