The Navy’s three Inter-Services champions moved a step closer to this year’s National ABA championships by reaching the All-England semi-finals.

The first of the Navy’s Three Musketeers into the ring was OM ‘Mac Attack’ Macdonald, who used all his speed and punching power to stop the Eastern/Home Counties champion moving forward to the next stage of the competition.

Shaun was very pleased with his performance and is looking forward to meeting his next challenge.

Heavyweight Mne Mick ‘The Irish Hammer’ O’Connell put in a team captain’s performance by outpointing his opponent with fast, accurate jabs and deft rear hands.

Mick feels that this is his year after missing out last time to Commonwealth gold medallist David Dolan by 16 points to14.

The last member of the trio into the limelight was OM Neil ‘Bazooka’ Suka, who fired off blistering combinations to the body and head of his opponent.

A vicious left hook to the jaw in the second round saw the Eastern/Home Counties champion fall heavily to the canvas, but Neil went on to take a points decision.

“My preparations for these national championships have been brilliant,” said the Bazooka. “I felt fit, strong and confident. I am now looking forward to winning the national title.”

Scottish internationals Mne Jim ‘The Thin Destroyer’ Cusick and Mne Kev ‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’ Green are ready for their assault on the Scottish title this year.

Both boxers have been training very hard and are confident of clinching national titles north of the border.

Navy boxing coach POPT Q Shillingford said: “The Royal Navy boxing team fly the flag for Navy sport at a national level all over Great Britain.

“I have had national coaches of England, Scotland and now Wales contacting me with reference to the boxers on the Navy team.

“As their coach, I am very proud of their achievements. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all ships and units for their continuing support of Navy boxing in releasing the fighters so that sport in the Navy can reach national and international levels.”

In three years Q has built a team from basics to national standard, and now the squad is benefiting from a completely refurbished gym at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth – sponsorship from Maximuscle has provided £4,000 of new kit, equipment and team strips, while Versaclimber UK supplied the squad with new tracksuits.

Q said: “It is important that a team looks the part and feels the part to achieve the results.”

4 Six Royal Navy and Royal Marines boxers from HMS Naval Base Clyde have returned to Scotland after a successful foray to Hampshire for the Navy Cup boxing championships.

Under the eye of their trainer POPT Steve Losh, the squad – four Royal Marines and two ratings – came away from HMS Collingwood in Fareham with a clutch of trophies and the runners-up title in what has always been a keenly-contested competition.

Royals Chris Forster, Stuart Giles, Gareth Goddard and Lee Haggerty, plus MEM Nick Keay and OM Trig Yeardley, are something of a rarity – a full Scottish boxing squad, as the Faslane establishment has for years been forced to shop and change because of operational commitments. It made their success all the sweeter.

Steve Losh was assisted by Barry Winters a “brilliant” civilian coach from the Osprey Boxing Club in Clydebank, and the squad was formed back in October 2002 to allow them plenty of time to train in preparation for the Cup.

As well as taking a creditable second place overall out of ten teams comprising 33 boxers, three of the Clyde squad – who all work for the Fleet Protection Group RM – collected individual trophies.

In the novices middleweight contest, Mne Stuart Giles was the runner-up; in the intermediate middleweight contest the winner was Mne Gareth Goddard, and in the special novice contest for middleweights, Mne Chris Forster was also a winner.

Following their impressive performances, proud coach Steve Losh said: “The spirit, determination and courage on display were a credit to all boxers and coaches alike – this was an excellent demonstration of the dedication to the noble art.”