Family makes boxing history as Rob and Brydie pack a punch
History was made at Shrewsbury & Severnside ABC's dinner-boxing show when father and daughter both stepped into the ring on the same bill last night.
Rob and Brydie O'Keefe, from near Baschurch, both fought on the card at the established club's first show of the season at the Lord Hill Hotel in Shrewsbury.
The club's head trainer Colin Hough said it was the first time in the country that a father and daughter have competed on the same bill.
Rob marked the occasion with a victory, albeit in unfortunate circumstances, when his opponent Lee Hargreaves, from Doncaster, dislocated his shoulder early into the bout, bringing a premature end to their 88-kilogram contest.
But 12-year-old Brydie suffered a narrow defeat on points in her first ever bout against Patsy Smith, from Cambridge, in a tight contest fought at 56 kilos.
Hough said: "We had a fantastic night. Brydie had a very hard contest, had a tough first round but came good in rounds two and three before losing on points.
"Rob's opponent then had the misfortune to dislocate his shoulder in the first round."
Rob's bout last night was his first for 13 years.
His boxing career appeared over after he won three of his 10 bouts for Shrewsbury & Severnside in the late 1990s.
But a new Masters category has been introduced by amateur officials extending the age of boxers from 34 to 40, allowing Rob the chance to step back between the ropes.
The night was a successful one for the host club in particular, with six of their seven featured fighters winning on the night.
