James Woolnough shows his excitement at getting a positive verdict at last summer’s open show at Beau Sejour. Like his late grandfather he welcomes the chance to box for a CI title. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0540722)

GUERNSEY’S top boxers have given the thumbs up to a possible return to the golden days of CI championship belts across the weights and ‘Muratti-like’ inter-island shows.

Next month’s open show at Beau Sejour will, Amalgamated BC head coach Graham Guilbert said, have a strong inter-insular feel with as many as 10 bouts pitting top Guernsey or Alderney fighters against matched opposition from Jersey’s two clubs, Leonis and Pisces.

Guilbert and his leading fighters can barely wait, although star-man Matt Jennings is one who won’t be matched against a Jerseyman.

The sister isle simply don’t have anyone to take on the hard-punching heavyweight.

Guilbert welcomed a return to the days of Channel Islands championship boxing.

‘After 50-odd years it’s going to happen. There’s going to be a good bit of banter between Guernsey and Jersey.

‘Our boys are well up for it.’