SOUTHAMPTON ABC boxer Andy Tew notched up his 50th bout on Saturday - and made it a night to remember with victory over Shirley's Golden Ring rival Darren Wyatt.

Aware of Wyatt's big punching reputation, Tew decided to keep the boxing at longer range than he normally would in this special light welterweight four rounder at Portsmouth Guildhall. And he soon began to land hard combinations to Wyatt's body and head as the Golden Ring fighter struggled to get into the fight.

Rounds two, three and four saw 18-year-old Tew pick up the pace and control the contest with a display of classical boxing for a comfortable points victory.

County champion Tew was not only delighted with victory over a highly respected rival, but also becoming the first Southampton-based boxer to reach 50 fights in more than 20 years.

Since starting his amateur career seven years ago as a short 40-kg 11-year-old, Tew has kept himself busy boxing all over Britain, Ireland and even France.

He has reached the final stages of all the national junior competitions and taken on all comers, including England number one Antony Quigley from Liverpool.

Tew has been racing to the 50 bout finishing line with older brother Matty close on his heals, having competed in 47 bouts himself.

There has been much good humoured sibling rivalry in the last 12 months, especially when Matty was sidelined with a broken bone in his right hand last season, allowing Andy to take the lead in the race.

Both the Sholing-based brothers are now setting their sights on a new target - this season's ABA championships with Andy entering the light welterweight division and Matty going for the lightweight title.

Following an excellent win in Woking last week light-heavyweight Danny Taylor was up against Portsmouth's Graham Kelly in another contest on Saturday.

But Kelly used his longer reach well to record a narrow majority decision.

Another two Southampton ABA boxers were involved in a county match at Portsmouth for Hampshire against Yorkshire.

Fourteen-year-old Jack Smith (47 kgs) took on Scott Leasley and recorded a standing-eight count in the second round on his way to a comfortable points win.

Bitterne schoolboy Rob Mann (50 kgs) was Southampton's next representative and came back strongly after a slow start to floor Aaron Baxter before winning on points.