Published: 27 October, 2011
by MARIA VALLAHIS

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech  Szczesny (inset) stepped into the ring on Friday when Islington Boxing Club held their tantalising dinner show at the Emirates Stadium.

Fans from across Camden and Islington turned out in force to see fighters from the club, based in Hazellville Road, Upper Holloway, win 11 out of their 12 bouts against Ulster’s Irish Select boxers.

With the crowd chanting “stand-up if you hate Tottenham”, Szczesny jumped at the chance of being a ring card model for one of the bouts.

“I’m here with a friend to enjoy a night off from football with some boxing,” he said.

Islington captain Aarron Morgan, who was competing at 76kg, had little time to show the audience his skills when after a few jabs, body shots in particular, he wore his opponent down.

Morgan threw some mighty jabs, stopping opponent Lee Newstead in the first round.

“The Irish are notoriously tough and they train hard, producing tough fights,” said Morgan. “This makes it more exciting and more of a challenge for us. We really enjoyed it.”

The fight of the night for Islington trainer Bevis Allen came in a lightweight contest between home boxer Darren Ballinger and Darragh Hall.

“Darren put on a great fight, it was intense and by far a great performance,” said Bevis.

Ballinger’s affluence dominated the contest and was more fast-paced as he gained a majority points victory over his slower, yet worthy, challenger.

James Woodward, Ben Turner, Patrick Ward, Davoud Qauyumi, Albes Krasniqi, Enrico Mullings, Jordan Grannum, Gerard McDonagh and Jack Sinnott also all won their bouts as the Islington team captured the Aberdeen Asset Management Trophy, kindly sponsored by Rob Sanders.