LOCAL boy Andy Rowbotham was involved in one of the fights of the night as boxing returned to Lydney Town Hall for the first time in five years.

The hall was jam-packed with spectators and they saw some thrilling bouts in the ABA Novice Championships. Super heavyweight Rowbotham lost a ferocious contest on points against Luke Watkins (Fitzpatrick Club).

Female Lydney boxer Becky Preest returned to the ring for the first time in 10 years and was a unanimous winner against Jessica Twomey (Downend).

Kieran Howells kept Downend's Ashley Wheeler at bay to come out a unanimous winner, while Matt Webb was an unlucky loser on points against Tudorville's Max Ashdown.

Dan Mason beat the well schooled Brodie Winstone (Malmsbury).

Another Lydney fighter, Ishanullah Kakar, fought a very tall opponent in Jordan Thomas (Studio ABC).

Ishanullah threw victory away by having two points deducted for fighting on after the ref had told him to break.

Stefan Brown lost on a majority decision to Luke Hazard (Baker Street). A repeat match will take place this Friday.

There was also success for Cory Jones in his first ever contest against Jack Bannister (Baker Street).

Joe Wilcox boxed over four x two minute rounds against Tom Duff (Guernsey) and gained a unanimous decision.

PRO boxer Chris Higgs will have his next fight at the Olympiad Centre at Chippenham on December 3. His opponent is to be confirmed.

Higgs was originally due to fight on the undercard of a Sky televised show at the Newport Centre on November 26. However, that show has been cancelled because top of the bill Gary Buckland, who was due to make the first defence of his British super-featherweight title, is injured.