Sky Sports enter the ring for Riviera Box Cup

Boxing in Torbay has been given a major TV boost by the news that Sky Sports will stream live coverage of the Riviera Vox Cup on August 17.

Starting in 2019 by Mike Reardon and Darrell Asplen, the Riviera Box Cup, staged at Torbay Leisure Centre in Clennon Valley, has developed into one of the premier events for amateur boxing in the UK.

"Before there was nothing in amateur boxing for the Western Counties clubs without having to travel six hours up the motorway. We set it up and it's gone through the roof, it's just completely took off," Reardon said.

"We named it after Darrell's dad, Sid Asplen who used to run the Riviera boxing club in Torbay back in the 60s and 70s. So it was really to honour his dad who'd done a lot for Devon boxing and local boxing. That's how the Box Cup came about. It was just to give the local kids here the opportunity.

"It just grew from there. We didn't know we'd do it multiple years," he added. "The first one was the year before Covid, then Covid struck and no one was boxing and actually we were the first event in amateur boxing to get the go ahead coming out of lockdown.

"It took off from then really," Reardon explained. "The demand's huge, I think because of where we are in the country, which is the English Riviera, so right on the sea front and the time of year we do it."

Former Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion Frazer Clarke added: "When you see the joy, when you see the tears, you know what it means to them. You've got to respect it."

Those in attendance are guaranteed an amazing night of boxing and those watching on TV can now share the entertainment.