A boxing team from England will head to Bermuda next month for the Police Boxing Section?s annual International Black Tie event at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel.

This year?s card, on Saturday, October 21, will see local fighters representing both the Police Gym and the Controversy Gym take on the UK bobbies.

Most of the visiting English fighters will be from the Metropolitan Police in London.

The event will be the second leg of a home-and-away tournament, the first leg having already been held in London in June this year when the English team emerged victorious.

Once off limit to females, this year?s event will see ladies begin the action with Rachael Sousa stepping into the ring for the first time to take on another local novice, Lucy Hall.

Robyn Swan will then make her second foray into the ring, having defeated Shameen Iqbal in her first bout. She fights novice Kerri Bunomi.

In men?s action, novice John Tindall will be trading his football boots for boxing gloves when he meets fellow first-timer Ben Pruen from England.

Tom Healy had his first bout at the Teachers? Fight Night and has caught the boxing bug. He?s been training regularly with Chuck Renaud at Controversy Gym and will step out for the second time against Sean McGrath, who lost his first and only bout.

Tony Suhartono is hoping to reverse his fortunes, having lost both of his bouts to date, including his first fight in London this year. He will meet Gary Lever, who is also looking for his first win, having lost his only bout.

In comparison, Mark Dunlop has an unbeaten record from two bouts and looks to continue his winning ways against Brad Scott (1-1).

Bruno Parker, with six bouts under his belt (3-3), is one of the more experienced boxers on the card. He takes on a slightly more experienced Lawrence Morrow (5-4).

Asaph Rawlins (3-1) suffered his first loss in London and will be looking to avenge it against Londoner Barry Hart.

Efforts are still underway to find opponents for Lloyd Peterkin (1-1), Reese Simpson (1-1) and Lynden Woods (3-5) of Bermuda and for super heavyweight John Tandy from England.

The evening will also include a kick-boxing exhibition by members of the Bermuda Sanshou Association.

The event, with a strict formal dress code, now welcomes women to what was once an all-male event.

The card was a sell-out last year and tickets for this year?s event are already being snapped up by those keen to secure the tables with the best views.

Tickets, which can be purchased individually or by the table, cost $60 each and can be obtained by contacting Inspector Linda Perry at 299-4506.

Asaph Rawlins (3-1) v Barry Hart

Reese Simpson (1-1) v (to be decided)

John Tandy (3-6) v (to be decided)

Lloyd Peterkin (1-1) v (to be decided)

John Tindall (0-0) v Ben Pruen (0-0)

Mark Dunlop (2-0) v Brad Scott (1-1)

Tom Healy (1 bout) v Sean McGrath (0-1)

Lynden Woods (3-5) v (to be decided)

Tony Suhartono (0-2) v Gary Lever (0-1)

Bruno Parker (3-3) v Lawrence Morrow (5-4)

Robyn Swan (1-0) v Kerri Bunomi (0-0)

Rachael Sousa (0-0) v Lucy Hall (0-0)