One of the biggest and best boxing shows witnessed in Spennymoor took place at the town's leisure centre arena in front of 600 fight fans last Friday against the world famous Chicago Golden Groves boxing team.

Having travelled the world with his team, Chicago manager Ted Gizma described the show as the best he had seen and the sell-out evening was such a success that tickets are already in demand for the next show which will be in November.

The Chicago team, who hosted Spennymoor last December, brought over six boxers and four officials and enjoyed the hospitality of the region for the five-day visit.

They visited Beamish Museum, Durham Cathedral, the Newcastle v West Ham match and had a civic reception at Spennymoor Town Hall attended by members of the town council and the Mayor of Spennmoor, Mr Russell Ferguson.

They also visited County Hall at Durham where they met the chairman of the county council of Durham, Charlie McGee, himself a former boxer.

Chicago GG stayed at the magnificent Whitworth Hall Hotel and were so impressed with the North-East said they did not want to go home.

At the beginning of the evening both national anthems were warmly received by the huge audience before the action began and the atmosphere was electric.

Of the six supporting contests first into the ring was Spennymoor's Billy McAloon against Blaydon's Paul Steele. McAloon pressed forward for three rounds to take the unanimous points verdict.

Second and third bouts saw points defeats for Spennymoor Kyle Ellis and Mark Moffatt against Teesside opponents.

The fourth fight had Spennymoor's Gary Fox against Lee Solomons of Middlesbrough's Phil Thomas Club. Fox boxed superbly throughout to take the judges' decision and also won the Robert Ellis Trophy for best young boxer.

Next in the ring was Spennymoor's national schoolboy champion Gary Reay against Lambton Street's Terry Lowther. Reay had a good last round to take the points verdict.

Spennymoor's female boxer Katie Reid boxed well and in and out against Cambridge University's Jessica Hudson winning every round to take the unanimous decision

Bout number seven saw the first American in the ring, Brian Lebron, to take on Spennymoor's John Cadman. The very close contest saw Chicago's Lebron take the majority points verdict.

The second team match saw two hard punchers into the ring, Alex Oliver and tough Mexican Gabriel Navaro. This was another thriller, Navaro claiming the points decision.

Next saw Spennymoor's Paul Warnett rock Chicago's John Venesenkos in the first round before going the distance to out-point the American.

Next saw Spennymoor's Sean Denham level the score with a close points win over American Bill Hillman and then the Americans went ahead against the super heavyweight clash of the giants between Chicago's Carl David and Spennymoor's Brian Robinson in what was once again a very close call.

Top of the bill saw a four-rounder between local favourite Stuey McCrone and flamboyant Danny Estrada of the USA.

The clash lived up to its name with an excellent example of open class boxing, but McCrone, boxing behind his left jab, made it hard work for the American from the start and won with scores of 79-76 79-77 79-78.

Director of coaching Robbie Ellis who paid tribute to the American team by saying: "They were a credit to their families, their club and their country and would be welcome back to England any time."

Robert also spoke highly of his Spennymoor team. He said: "They have once again competed against the best in the world and came out of it proudly with honours even."

"The Americans came as opponents but left as friends."

* On Saturday two Spennymoor boxers had impressive wins at Ashington. Sixteen-year-old Gav McGee scored a first round stoppage win and 11-year-old Shane McAloon won on points but was awarded the best boxer trophy for an excellent performance.