FORMER boxing world champions have attended a special boxing event at Catterick Garrison.

The Queen’s Royal Lancers (QRL) at Munster Barracks in the garrison hosted the event on Thursday, October 30, which saw 11 bouts between soldiers from QRL, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, 1st Battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and 6 (Close Support) Battalion the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

The fights were eagerly watched by former undefeated British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion and International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight champion of the world Glenn McCrory; and IBF middleweight champion of the world and 2002 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Darren Barker.

Commanding Officer of QRL Lieutenant Colonel Julian Buczacki said they had tried to broaden the conventional scope of a regimental boxing night by bringing in athletes and friends from the military and civilian communities in the North East and their recruiting area in the East Midlands.

He said: “It has been a pleasure to be able to re-energise boxing this year at the Queen’s Royal Lancers.

“Tonight we have sought to broaden a regimental boxing event to bring together the military and civilian communities local to Catterick Garrison, including Wavell School.

“The attendance of world champion boxers Glenn McCrory and Darren Barker and the most generous support of mainly local businesses underpinned a memorable occasion.

“Offering our soldiers a broad professional experience is important in a busy period training for readiness as the Lead Cavalry Battle Group and preparing for amalgamation with the 9th and 12th Lancers.

“The courage and example of the young boxers was credit to all the units represented and has set the standard for future events.”