The doors open on the event at 7.30pm on Monday 7^th April 2014 at Oceana, Kingsway Swanseawith the first bout starting at 8pm. There is free entry to holders of a Varsity rugby match ticket or £12.50 (£15 non-students) on the door or from the Students Union website.

Although Swansea University Amateur Boxing Club has had a tough year that saw head coach and club founder Aveon Perryman moving on to the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABA) and plans for a new gym delayed, the club has stayed strong, growing in members and notoriety.

In recent months, its members have showed real improvement resulting in many wins. The highpoint for the club was a Wales v England Universities match in December showcasing the best boxing talent, ending in a Welsh University win and putting both Swansea and Cardiff on the map.

Now, as new Head Coach Alex Ruddy acknowledges, it is time for Swansea to face Cardiff in the ring and settle the Varsity rivalry.

Alex, who is studying level 2 Medical Biochemistry at Swansea said: “Our squad motto is ‘Brwydro am Falchder’ or ‘Fighting for pride’, the words are particularly relevant at this time of year as the Welsh Varsity show approaches. Our fighters have put their bodies on the line, training like machines and fighting like animals in preparation for this clash of rival universities.

“Cardiff currently holds the trophy, but we have no intentions of letting them keep it. The effort and heart my fighters are showing fills me with pride every session. Win or lose, each fighter has earned their right to be seen as a warrior and celebrated as an elite athlete.’

Alex’s says that one of the evening’s barnburners will be the bout between 19 year old Kieran Ryan, a second year Biochemistry student at Swansea, and Cardiff’s Edgar Weaver.

Alex said: “Kieran’s winning performance at last year’s Varsity show was seen as the fight of the night and he has shown incredible commitment in preparing for his next Varsity bout, though Edgar is a fierce fighter who will push Kieran’s skills to the limit.”

This year’s bouts will feature all male fighters as the teams could not to match any of their female fighters. However Swansea University Boxing has promised that the club’s female members should feature strongly in upcoming shows and next year.

The Varsity games are Wales’ biggest student sporting event and the second largest of the British varsity games, behind Oxford and Cambridge.

The majority of the Welsh Varsity games take place on Wednesday, April 9, culminating with the Rugby Match at the Millennium Stadium, starting at 7:30pm.  

Picture 1: Keiran Ryan trains on the beach at Swansea

Picture 2: Kieran Ekeledo (assistant coach) spars with Varsity  boxer Wesley Adeyemi