Oxford University captain James Glancy warmed up for next month's Varsity clash with an awesome display of punching power in last night's Town v Gown boxing match at a packed Oxford Union debating hall.

Clancy, a Royal Marine cadet, who also works as a DJ, was on song, leaving his Russian opponent Oleg Papazov (Christ Church) reeling with a barrage of left and right blows referee Peter Foley stopping the fight.

The best clash of the night, which finished in a 2-2 draw, came at towards the end of the seven-bout bill with Oxford Brookes University's David Amekumo, guesting for Oxford University, knocked Oxpens's Russian Alex Salamon onto the canvas within the first few seconds with a short right punch to the head.

He continued his assault in the second round, though Salamon responded before Amekumo softened him up with a number of impressive body punches and finished the fight with a superb right uppercut.

James Whitman, Brookes' recently-crowned British University champion, had an enthralling battle with Abingdon Town's James Lacey before the former got the majority verdict.

Whitman won the first round, but Lacey forced his way back in the second to set up a cracking third-round decider.

An excellent left hook from the Abingdon man got him off to a good start, but Whitman held on for a deserved victory.

Brian Mensay, from the London All Stars Club, who was drafted in at the last minute after a no-show by another London club, gave a super performance against Brasenose College's Mark Hudson.

Mensay, with a longer reach, hit with a combination of head and body punches, before Hudson fought back well.

A great right hook from Mensay was the highlight of round two, before the Londoner won the fight by a majority verdict.

Fred Brown from Trinity College cemented his place in the team for the Varsity tie with a powerful display against Adam Carey from Queens College.

RESULTS

J Whitman (Brookes) bt Craig Lacey Abingdon) (maj verdict); B Mensay (All Stars) bt M Hudson (Brasenose) (maj verdict); P Ho (Brasenose) bt C Kavanagh (Magdalen) (unanimous); J Glancy (St Anne's) beat O Papazov (rsf 1st rnd); F Brown (Trinity) bt A Carey (Queen's) (rsf 3rd rnd); D Amekumo (Brookes) beat A Salanove (Oxpens ABC) (rsf 2nd rnd); J Boyle (Brasenose) beat J Campbell (Linacre) (unanimous).