Wye Police boxer Lee Jenkins hoping England can topple Wales again in Hereford Times Cup clash (From Hereford Times)

Wye Police boxer Lee Jenkins hoping England can topple Wales again in Hereford Times Cup clash

12:30pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport By Ian Morgan

CHAMPION Lee Jenkins is hoping England can topple Wales in an action-packed night of amateur boxing in Hereford.

The 23-year-old says Saturday promises to be a knock-out day of sport with England and Wales also battling for glory in a Grand Slam rugby union decider in Cardiff.

Jenkins, from Hereford, has just won a BUCS boxing title and helped England’s fighters overcome Wales to carry off the Hereford Times Cup 12 months ago.

“I am sitting on the fence about the rugby because my dad, Dai, is a very proud Welshman,” said Jenkins, a student at the University of Brighton.

“I used to play rugby for Greyhound and a lot of my dad’s friends will be watching the rugby on the television at Hereford City Sports Club before coming up to the boxing show.

“Wye Police’s boxing shows are always very spectacular - everyone wants to be on it - and I am sure this weekend’s show will be even better than last year.”

Jenkins plans to return to the city tomorrow and could be among Wye’s boxers fighting for an England select team against Wales at Hereford Sixth Form College.

Wye Police’s Amateur Boxing Club’s dinner show also includes guest fighters from the armed forces. It will raise money for Combat Stress.

The England team, managed by Alan Keast, carried off the title last March after beating a Wales team, run by Colin Jones and John Radmore, 8-5.

The doors for Saturday’s show will open at 6.30pm for the sit-down meal at 7pm.

Natalie Hall will be singing during and after the meal and a piper will lead both teams into the ring between 8pm and 8.30pm After a ring parade of fighters, Angharad Morgan, from the Welsh National Opera, will be belting out the national anthems.

Organiser Vince McNally, secretary of Wye Police ABC, is expecting about 12 bouts on the card.

“We’re looking forward to the show but a lot of things, beyond our control, can happen to boxers, so we can’t confirm the list at the moment.

“Lee is scheduled to appear but until the doctor is happy, the fighters are in the ring, and the bell goes, we can’t guarantee any boxer will be fighting.”

Jenkins, who lives in Redhill, is used to winning - he triumphed in the under-20 75kg belt at the BUCS Boxing Championships in Sheffield. Jenkins, who is studying sport and exercise science, defeated Loughborough University’s James McKeon in the final at the Don Valley Stadium.

“I have had four fights since joining university in September and I have won them all,” he said. ”My dad managed to get the train up to Sheffield after work to see me fight. “Brighton had four overall champions and two finalists, so it was a great achievement.”

Tickets are still available for Saturday’s show, and for more information, call Vince McNally on 07525 452110 or email him at vince.mcnally@googlemail. com