A packed Wilmslow Leisure Centre welcomed the Ireland squad for the Macclesfield Boys’ Boxing Club’s annual showcase, an event with an international flavour, and quality to match.

MBBC represented England as they welcomed renowned Irish club Holy Family BC.

However, the action got under way with Tom Munday taking on Oldham’s Will Cawley in a 40kg bout. It was a cracking match involving two young boxers, with both showing good use of the ring and fine skills, and a close decision favoured Cawley.

Harry Thomson was next up in a 45kg match againstHoly Family’s Mickey Nevin.

Both boxers showed good control and ability in the first round, Nevin’s pressure showing in the second, although both were landing and being caught with quick combinations. One blow winded Thomson and he had to be retired at the start of the third round, the decision going Nevin’s way.

There followed a cracking 56kg female bout as Beth Campbell faced Poppi Burton from Syd Ringside. It was a real pendulum bout, swinging one way then the other, and although a late burst by Campbell in the final round looked to have clinched it, only for a disappointing decision going Burton’s way.

Mathew McFahn was also unlucky in his bout, a 55kg match against Dyffryn’s Jordan Jones. McFahn lost out in a very close points decision but will have learned a lot that will benefit him in future bouts.

A 2011 ABA finalist, Jake Haigh, faced a tough opponent in the Irish club’s Colin Dyas, knowing he needed to up his game to be successful – and he didn’t disappoint. He was pushed all the way and found another level and a mature performance. So much so he had his arm raised and also collected the boxer of the night award.

Jack Rawlins was involved in a non-stop 71kg clash with Christopher Lawrence from Holy Family.

Both gave their all, with some neat eye-catching combinations landing. A close bout could have gone either way with Rawlins looking to have done enough, but the decision went against him.

Pete Bebbington put in a masterclass in his 77kg victory over Holy Family’s Sean Shevlin. Bebbington was nothing short of brilliant, although Shevlin forced the opening pace, with some crunching body shots.

Most of these were taken on the gloves of Bebbington, with both trading at close-range and trying to land power blows. Bebbington bided his time and slowly opened up the guard of Shevlin to pick him off, with his strength of working from a range of angles paying dividends as he took the decision.

In a rematch from last May, Macclesfield’s Liam Hanrahan faced Sean Kilroy of Holy Family.

This 57kg clash may not have been close to the explosive, toe-to-toe battle these two encountered when they met in the Boyne valley, as Kilroy seemed to have adapted his game plan to keeping the more aggressive hard hitter at range.

Hanrahan still looked the stronger, producing some blistering attacks and took a stray elbow, which went unnoticed.

However a tough crowd pleasing three rounds was awarded to Kilroy.

Another match that brought the crowd to its feet was Andrew kometa’s 74kg match against Holy Family.

The middleweight bout delivered a high standard and thrilling battle with Reilly, an IABA rated and more experienced fighter than Kometa, not having it all his own way which was evident throughout the three rounds. After the final bell it was a hard-earned decision for Kometa.

John Watson pushed hard in his match against Michael Dyas, having lost to the Holy Family fighter in their previous two meetings. Watson was more than ready for it, and the forward style of both boxers, made for a fast and furious pace.

Watson was pushed hard again, but managed to deny Dyas his third win, Watson deserving his points win.

Closing the show, Kirk Crawthorne faced Stephen Lawrence of Holy Family in a 76kg card-topper.

Crawthorne pressured throughout, even though the stylish southpaw from Ireland gained some success with his jab.

Crawthorne followed his jabs by throwing lead rights and switching his combinations.

Having bossed in the final round Crawthorne was awarded the points decision.

MBBC coach Jez Hough said: "It was a thrilling and fantastic night of amateur boxing at its best, the atmosphere was electric with the capacity crowd on their feet throughout showing respect to all boxers."