Royal Navy fighters put on a terrific displays of the art of boxing as they came within a whisker of clinching the Inter-Services Championship in front of a packed house on home territory at HMS Nelson, Portsmouth.

The Navy squad went down to a 6-5 defeat – thanks largely to walkovers in two categories.

In head-to-head clashes with their Army rivals, the home team were superior to the soldiers, coming out 5-3 ahead.

Navy team captain Mick O’Connell led by example, HMS York’s super heavyweight Neil Suku was victorious in a bruising encounter and 42 Cdo’s Alex Urrutia put on a blistering show to defeat his opponent, Pete Murray, when the referee intervened.

But perhaps the best result of the night was Kev Green’s stunning victory over Army man Si Patterson.

Those watching say in the final round Kev put on the best display of boxing in his career to score a decisive points victory.

Recently-crowned National Novice champion Adam Lancey (40 Cdo) was giving as good as he got against Chris Pacy until round four, when the referee stopped the fight in the Army man’s favour.

RN boxing coach C/Sgt Tommy McPhee said although disappointed at coming within spitting distance of victory, his team could hold their heads high.

“Morale is excellent in our camp. We boxed very well and no-one let themselves down,” he said. “I’m pleased with the boys – the quality of boxing on show was a really high standard.”

The team then set about preparations for a whistle-stop tour of the UK, with fights in London, Poole, Liverpool, Newport and Cardiff through March.

Mick O’Connell, Neil Suku, Kev Green and Shaun MacDonald are all due to fight at the ABA quarter finals in Aldershot on March 13.

Navy results against the Army:
Bantamweight: Chris Sagar beat Allan Boyle (RN) on pts 20-11
Featherweight: Alex Urrutia (RN) beat Pete Murray. Ref stopped fight
Lightweight: Chris Pacy beat Adam Lancey (RN). Ref stopped fight
Light Welterweight: Kev Green (RN) beat Si Patterson on pts 13-3
Welterweight: Steve Briggs beat Stuart Elwell (RN) on pts 12-2
Middleweight: Shaun MacDonald (RN) beat Dean Frost on pts 13-6
Heavyweight: Mick O’Connell (RN) beat James Toal on pts 7-3
Super heavyweight: Neil Suku (RN) beat James Tuiauta on pts 12-9