LOUISE TUPPEN made history when she took part in the first official women's boxing match in Sussex.

Although beaten in the end, it was a dream come true for the Brighton fighter, who had been training for her big night ever since the Amateur Boxing Association agreed to let women fight in 1997.

The landmark change of rule followed a passionate campaign from female fighters and on Friday night, Hove hosted the county's first official match.

From all around Hove Town Hall, female screams of support could be heard as music thundered out when Louise jogged her way towards the red corner.

Lou, 29, who lives in Ditchling Road, said: "As I was walking to the ring I just remembered all the red tape that I have broken through over the last year.

"I used to get so angry when I thought that women were being refused the right to box.

"I've trained as hard as any amateur boxer and all I've ever wanted is to put my training into practice and now I have had my chance."

As Lou stood in the red corner, with her coaches Helen Neeley and Keith Funnell, she looked calm.

Her opponent, Sandra Williams, 25, from Balham Amateur Boxing Club, threw warm-up punches in the blue corner and looked confident as she danced around the edge of the ring.

The crowd could see for the first time the amazing height difference between the two boxers, with Sandra at least 6in shorter than Louise. As the first bell rang, and the fight began, Lou's height proved to be a problem.

After the three-round match, judges announced Sandra the winner but Lou still managed a smile as she pulled off her gloves.

She said: "I'm a bit upset that I lost the fight but I'll carry on training and am eager to get in the ring again as soon as possible."

Later she greeted her mum and dad who had cheered and clapped their daughter through her first fight in three years.

Lou said: "My dad used to box in the Army and he thinks I'm mad to want to do this. Mum was worried I would be hurt during the fight but I haven't even got a bruise."

Helen Neeley, the event's promoter and Lou's boxing coach from Savages Gym, said: "There was an electric atmosphere and the cheering from the crowd really encouraged the boxers to give one hundred per cent in the ring.

"I was very proud of Louise. She is a very down-to-earth girl and throughout the fight she was very calm and competent.

"She was ten times more relaxed than I was. She knew what she wanted to do and that was to make history boxing in front of a home crowd.

"Every time the bell rang and she came back into the corner, I said to her: 'This is history here tonight, girl, and you're making it happen'.

"But there was a lot of pressure on her. Not only was it an historic fight but she was in front of a home crowd and all her family and friends.

"This bout was an excellent learning experience for her."

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