Five of the CI’s best… Guernsey’s title challengers on Saturday night will be, from left – Tom Maunder, Adam Baker, James Woolnough, Bradley Watson and Shane Le Patourel. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0721911)

THERE will be extra edge to Saturday night’s open show.

It’s never short of atmosphere at the popular Beau Sejour events, with plus spectators packed into the main hall.

But this year’s biggest event in the boxing calendar moves on to another level as Guernsey and Jersey fighters meet for the first time in more than 50 years for the CI Championship belts.

Admittedly, most are junior bouts, but it is a start. Guernsey coach Graham Guilbert said his boxers were certainly fired up to face Jersey.

‘It’s given them an edge – they want it that bit more,’ he said. ‘They are all going to be good bouts. They all match up in experience, weight and age.

‘I’m really over the moon.’

Guilbert hopes that this will become an annual affair, with Jersey hosting next year’s event.