PROFESSIONAL boxing made a return to Winchester after 30 years and the promoter has vowed to return before the year is out.

Around 250 fans piled into the Guildhall to enjoy an evening of pugilism. 

Promoter Wayne Batten said: “It was nice to take boxing back to Winchester. When we come back next time, it might be set up more as a dinner show though.”

Tickets sold reasonably well, with supporters of Southampton fighters Tony Hill and Joe Pigford out in full force.

But there were still tickets available to be purchased on the door and Mr Batten says putting on shows in Winchester presents its own challenges.

“It’s just trying to get the general public back on board. Joe Pigford and Tony Hill shifted a few tickets and we’re definitely talking about ‘next time’ and we got some really positive feedback from people on the night.”

A card of seven matches saw local fighters taking on seasoned pros from around the country, with punters taking advantage of the bar in between bouts.

Much of the talk in the saloon centred on how much the Guildhall was reminiscent of Bethnal Green’s York Hall, considered by many to be the home of British boxing.

But unlike the famous East End venue, the gallery in Winchester was closed off to the public – much to the disappointment of the fans.

“I’m not sure why that was. Like I said, it’s a learning curve. I think that was maybe a breakdown in communication. When we come back, we’ll probably look to set up a dinner show with the gallery open for normal tickets,” Mr Batten said.

Tony Hill, a former commonwealth title challenger, headlined the show and took a points decision in his first fight up at super middleweight.

The evening marks something of a renaissance for boxing in the city, coming in the wake of Winchester Amateur Boxing club, on Bar End Road, reopening its doors last month.

Meanwhile, the district also has its first ever professional boxer, Colden Common's Steve Lynch, who steps up for his third fight in the paid ranks in Portsmouth on Saturday (June 15).