IT was a night of mixed emotions for Swindon fighters Tom Brennan and Lewis Roberts at the weekend as Brennan lost his Southern Area Title Eliminator while Roberts continued his dance on towards further glory.

At the first Fight Town show in Swindon since November 2022, promoter Mark Neilson promised Swindon the best night of professional boxing the South West had ever seen, and that claim was upheld as knock-outs and upsets thrilled a sell-out crowd at the MECA in Regent Circus.

Brennan failed to get the job done against Kent’s Gideon Onyenani but was applauded for a gallant effort in front of a partisan crowd in Wiltshire.

While he will look to rebuild and go again later in the year, there was no such hiccup for ‘El Gordito’ as Roberts professionally dispatched Julius Thomas Kisarawe.

Having paraded through a sea of sombreros while a mariachi band performed, Roberts was almost punch perfect on his way to victory.

Afterwards, he said: “Hopefully a title is next, this should give me a good enough ranking for a title” before hinting of new ideas for his ring walk.

Roberts said: “what can’t we do? Maybe nacho stands for after the fight?”

Prior to the co-main events, former England boxing representative and multiple amateur national champion Lloyd Farrington made his much-awaited debut and showed his superior class, outpointing an experienced foe to start his career.

He was joined by debutant Jack Bannister who made light work of his Fijian born opponent dispatching him with a clean right hand before the end of the first round.

Meanwhile, Calne-based Connor Gray overcame his opponent to take one step closer to a title opportunity this year.

The Calne super-lightweight endured a tricky evening against 9-1 Jamie Sampson – who had arrived fully focused on putting a blemish on the Wiltshire man’s record – but negotiated the fight well to take a close victory.

Post-fight, a frustrated Gray said: “I wasn’t here to cuddle, I was in there tonight to fight.”

Speaking after the event, promoter Mark Neilson said: “Wow, what a show and what a crowd.

“Swindon truly is a ‘Fight Town’, and as much as we love travelling the country, these shows in our hometown are special.”

Fight Town’s next appearance in Swindon – following a series of shows elsewhere across the country – is Saturday, September 30.