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Sports reporter James Whittaker joined hundreds of boxing fans at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday night as they squeezed into their borrowed tuxedos for the annual Police Black-Tie Boxing Event.

Here's his account of every punch, kick and slap from one of the biggest nights on the island's boxing calendar - which pitted a Bermuda team against fighters from the London Met.

Bermuda, ultimately went down 6-4, but not without a fight.

Rachel Sousa beat Lucy Hall

Points decision

Nicknamed 'Chicken Wing' for her diminutive frame, Rachel Sousa, proved she's a lot tougher than she looks slamming into her opponent from the first bell.

There were a few girly slaps early on and at one stage it looked like they were trying to pull each other's hair, but the fitness level and aggression from both girls was impressive.

A full-on flurry of punches was maintained for three rounds with both fighters showing amazing stamina.

If either fighter developed a killer punch, this would have been a bloodbath.

As it is both fighters walked out of the ring with their heads held high. But it's Sousa that took a narrow opening victory for Bermuda.

Robyn Swan beat

Kerri Bonomi

By retirement

If the first fight was just a shade girly, there's nothing ladylike about the demolition job Robyn Swan did here.

Looking seriously p***** off she charged from her corner and laid into her opponent.

Her technique was pretty good and she landed some heavy blows leaving first time fighter Bonomi wondering what she signed up for.

When Bonomi's corner inevitably threw in the towel in round two, Swan looked even more annoyed that she didn't get to finish the job.

Tony Suhartono lost

to Garry Lever

Ref stopped contest

Luckless Tony Suhartono lost his third fight in a row, despite looking like one of the more accomplished fighters on the Bermuda team.

He looked like he's having a few problems with his headgear which kept slipping down over his face and he took the standing count three times before the ref stopped the contest.

He was far from out-boxed and looked to have a decent chance in this fight. But he kept going down on one knee and taking the count every time he got hit. A shame, because he looked like he had good skills.

Tom Healy beat

Shaun McGrath

Points decision

Rugby player Healy hasn't got the footwork and balance of some of the more experienced boxers, but he's got the slightly psychotic look of a nightclub brawler.

And for a second-time fighter his technique is pretty good.

He controlled the fight landing some serious blows even when he was on the backfoot.

He hit the canvas early on but it was more of a slip - maybe due to his 1980s running shoes.

He recovered his balance and by the end of the fight his superior fitness showed.

McGrath was out of steam but Healy was still bouncing around pounding him mercilessly.

Bruno Parker lost to Lawrence Morrow

Points Decision

The most technically accomplished fighter of the night, Morrow, was controlled and methodical.

He took his time, threw less punches than any other fighter, but landed more. His stance was good and he hit Parker consistently with a solid jab.

The Bermudian fighter, wearing distinctive long Bermuda socks, was a good match for him, but was ultimately out-pointed.

Jamela Daniels lost to Kristen Glanton

Ref Stopped Contest

Plenty of energy and enthusiasm from Jamela but it was Massachusetts State Trooper, Glanton that landed the heavier blows.

The Bermudian gave as good as she got but took a crushing head shot that had her on the ropes. The ref gave her the standing eight count and called time on the contest.

Jamela didn't seem to realize and headed back to her corner to prepare for round two.

She looked like she could stay in the fight and her trainer Chucky Renaud, as well as much of the crowd, seemed baffled by the decision.

Mark Dunlop lost to

Brad Scott

Points Decision

Bouyed by the shouts of a bevy of beer-swilling footballers from his MR Onions team, Dunlop gave his all in a bruising heavyweight encounter.

It seemed pretty even when the fight was halted midway through because of 'technical problems' with the ring.

A crew of workman scrambled underneath to sort it out and the two men got back in the ring.

Scott edged an entertaining bout with more of his blows hitting the mark.

Reese Simpson lost to Andrew Cravedi

Points Decision

Simpson appeared to have plenty of support, with his girlfriend shouting him on from ringside.

But this was a bit of a mis-match.

Cravedi landed all the heavy blows and was in and out before Reese knew what hit him.

After a couple of rounds of punishment the ref decided he'd had enough.

John Tindall beat

Ben Pruen

Points Decision

In his pre-fight press Tindall seemed like a shy and reluctant fighter, in the fight he looked like he loved every minute.

He strutted around the ring like Rocky and relaxed on the ropes as his opponent took the standing eight count, revelling in the spotlight.

There was a guy with the British police team who was shouting from the sidelines all night.

To begin with it was standard stuff like "keep your guard up, move your feet" and so on. Later it degenerated to a drunken slur - 'Ave him Ben - deck him'. Classy. Despite that tactical advice, Tindall prevailed showing a lot of heart in what was one of the most entertaining fights of the night.

Asaph Rawlins lost to

Barry Hart

Points Decision

The only police officer left on the card, Rawlins, was an instant hit with the crowd, who were baying for a knockout. It was an entertaining evening but people were getting restless.

They wanted to see blood and they wanted to see someone hit the canvas.

Unfortunately it was Hart that controlled this heavyweight contest with Rawlins struggling with an elbow injury. The London fighter has solid skills and outpointed his opponent.[[In-content Ad]]

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