SOME of England’s top amateur boxers will be looking to secure their place at the Commonwealth Games during an international fixture to be held in Basingstoke.

England will take on Sweden during an eight-bout programme that will take place at Aldworth Science College on February 19.

The event is to form part of England’s team selection programme for the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in New Delhi, India, in October.

The Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) has sent a team to compete in north Hampshire every year for the last eight years but this is the first time that full senior team has taken part.

The evening being promoted by The Rotary Club of Basingstoke Deane and Roy Sands, the event chairman, is delighted to be welcoming senior boxers.

“It’s the first time that we have hosted the senior team and we are really looking forward to it,” he said. “This recognises the contribution that the Rotary Club and Basingstoke have made to England’s boxing success.

“Before now we have had up and coming boxers, mainly under 21 years of age. That has been great but to have the senior team coming is fantastic news and quite exciting.

“With it being part of the selection process for the Commonwealth Games as well, the boxers will really be looking to impress.”

The event is run to raise money for charity and more than £200,000 has been made over the last seven years.

“It should be a good night and we are hoping to have about 400 people there,” Sands added. “We average between £20,000 and £30,000 and while we were a bit down last year due to the recession, we are hoping to be back to full strength this time around.”

Bouts will consist of four two-minute rounds and while there are provisionally nine on the card, Sands expects this to be reduced to eight when the boxers are paired off into weights.

A table of ten at the event costs between £800 and £900 and can be booked by contacting Sands on 01264 720524 or emailing roys@roystan.co.uk