Bideford Boxing Club show no love in Torquay’s Valentine’s Show

Bideford Boxing Club had two professionals featuring on the Valentine’s Day massacre in Torquay. 

Aaron Bird bounced back to winning ways with a shut-out points victory against the experienced Harry Mathews. Bird dominated for six rounds, working behind the lead hand and had Mathews hurt on several occasions from strong right hands. 

Bird said of his victory: “It felt great to be back in the ring tonight. I came up short in my last fight at European level but I showed I have made adjustments and I’m a much more improved fighter already.

“My opponent was full of praise, he’s had 140 pro fights and he said I’m technically the best fighter he’s ever been in with. I will have a couple of weeks off now and then we will have another huge title fight to announce, my fourth title fight within ten fights, I can’t thank my team enough for the opportunities and I will grab them with both hands.”

Cornish boxer Kaidan Symons made his pro debut against the experienced Robbie Chapman. Symons showed good hand speed and shot selection to dominate the early rounds. In round three, Chapman worked his way back into the fight but Symons wasn’t to be denied, ending the boutt well to secure the 39-37 points win.

Symons said: “Great night, fulfilled a 10-year dream and started my professional career with a win over a strong opponent. Thank you to everyone who showed up to support me and thank you to my team for all the effort and sacrifice they put in to get me where I am today.”

Three of Bideford’s amateurs boxed on the Devonport show, coming away with two wins. Marley Barnes showed blistering hand speed to overwhelm Theo Mansfield from the host club and get a unanimous points win. 

Coby Allcorn boxed Reggie Sutton, also from the host club and a former national finalist. Allcorn was in the fight all the way through but came up just short against a busier fighter in Sutton who took the unanimous points win.

Stan Moran was well matched against John Oke from Torbay. Both boxers were even on skill and speed but Moran had the heavier hands and landed the eye-catching power shots to take a well-earned split points win.