Captains courageous!

Tuesday 2nd March 2010, 2:58PM GMT.

Referee Richard Langlois looks on during the punishing final bout between opposing captains Jason Gardner and Craig Culkin, of Jersey Picture: JOHN FELTON

IT was a clash worthy of a professional world champion’s rich praise and a fitting end to a tremendous advert for amateur boxing.

The Jersey Select lost the Corniche Apartments Gold Cup, 3-2, at Hotel L’Horizon on Saturday night, when an extremely tight split-decision in the final bout went against captain Craig Culkin.

But after such a ding-dong contest, against the Royal Navy and Marines Select captain Jason Gardner, it was impossible to be anything but uplifted.

Said light-heavyweight Culkin (31), who made his senior debut for Leonis ABC aged 17 against the Royal Marines: ‘I really enjoyed that. That’s what I’m all about. I got beat, but I gave my all.’

Every second of the three three-minute rounds lit up the Jersey Dinner Boxing Club show, already on a high with the appearance of former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno, one of the most loved British sportsmen of the modern era.

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