Thames Valley boxers look to bounce back

Paul Cooke continues to reflect on last week's Rumble at the Racecourse event, sponsored by Evergreen Engineering, Berkshire Youth and M&T Motors - he described it as a great success.

A couple of his fighters, however, left Newbury Racecourse with a point to prove.

So, when two bouts became available at RAF Benson, Cooke's fighters jumped at the chance.

First to step into the ring was Chris Ockwell.

The 35-year-old lost a split decision contest against Jack Bishop's Thomas Bennett on the Rumble at the Racecourse II card on Saturday, 21st May.

This time Ockwell faced RAF Benson's S. White.

It was his second bout in four days, accepted at just two days notice, but Ockwell is nothing if not determined and resilient.

Much like his fight at the Racecourse, Ockwell took some time to settle into the bout and the first round went to the home favourite in the blue of RAF Benson.

The second round was much closer, Ockwell landing some decent shots as his opponent began to tire.

Ockwell looked to win the fight in the final round and his opponent survived a late count - much as Thomas Bennett had done days before - but the final bell came too soon.

A split decision ruled against the Thames Valley man, and Ockwell was left to rue a slow start for the second time within a week.

The other Thames Valley boxer to step onto the canvas at RAF Benson was Jake Charles.

He'd been scheduled to fight at the Racecourse but was denied when his opponent was forced to pull out.

Charles, tall and lean, put his extra height to good use and kept his opponent, J. Willson, well out of reach.

The fight was over inside the first round when Charles caught Willson off balance on the shoulder.

The RAF Benson man looked to have sustained a painful injury and Charles was awarded the win via stoppage.