Sir,

Can I comment on an extraordinary evening of boxing we had at Llanmiloe Hall, near Pendine, last Friday evening. It was a huge success and the hall was packed to the rafters

It was a show put on by the very successful Whitland club and proved that amateur boxing not only is a very successful sport, but also one of the safest, where we have a doctor in attendance throughout the entire show. Where do you see that in other sports?

Rounding off a very entertaining show, we witnessed a quite sensational bout between two of Wales' most promising champions, Jay Harries, of Premier ABC, Swansea, and our own Ben Baker, of Whitland. Incidentally, Jay Harries is the son of Peter Harris, who won the British professional featherweight title in 1988.

I have been involved in boxing for over 35 years as a referee of over 10,000 contests in over 1,000 shows in all the great arenas around the world, but this fantastic bout forced itself into my list of top 10 fights of all time.

For sheer willpower, tenacity, strength and a never-say-die attitude, you will not surpass the courage that young Ben Baker displayed that evening over four two-minute rounds.

This bout would have graced Madison Square Gardens, Las Vegas and many arenas, such was the tempo of the bout. Jay Harris certainly knew he had been in a fight and to choose a winner, which we have to do in boxing, was heartbreaking, but Jay Harris came out on top by a narrow margin and the two sportingly embraced each other when I gave the verdict.

There were 13 bouts in all, which a huge crowd enjoyed immensely, and at a venue where I'm sure Whitland will put on another show again, but will I ever referee a bout of this calibre again? I doubt it. Such bouts only come around every 10 to 15 years or so; this then would be my last great bout. Some evening, some contest; I was privileged to referee it.

John Phillips,

Welsh and world boxing

referee and judge,

Narberth.