Councillors agreed a £1,000 funding boost to the South Oxhey Amateur Boxing Club last night, but not before a lengthy debate on the rights and wrongs of the sport.

The club, in Hallowes Crescent, applied to Three Rivers District Council for a grant last year, arguing the cash would boost its good work in the community.

Members of the council’s ruling executive committee, however, could not agree on whether or not to award the money.

Labour group leader and South Oxhey (Northwick) councillor Francis Durham argued: “I’m very much against individuals knocking the hell out of each other. I certainly would ban boxing and I don’t think this council should be supporting a boxing club for this reason.”

Council Leader Ann Shaw, however, argued that, whatever councillors’ views on boxing, it was a legal and legitimate activity and the SABC had to be treated like any other local sports club. She also argued that it can have a positive effect on young people.

Councillor Martin Trevett was more vocal in his support, reminding members that amateur boxing – involving full protective gear – was very much safer than professional boxing.

The grant was awarded by majority vote.

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