There are few places on Earth as synonymous with disputes as the Oxford Union. Since its inception just over two centuries ago, the society has played host to numerous hotly-contested debates, first in the present-day library and then in its famous chamber from 1879 onward. For all the verbal sparring that has come to define the Union over its long, illustrious history, this year’s edition of the annual ‘Town vs Gown’ boxing proved that some arguments can only be solved when people let their fists do the talking.
Over four hundred people piled into the chamber, but the entirety of the Union facilities were closed off and in use for the event. Only the members’ bar stayed open for incoming guests to enjoy before the spectacle, and during the well-earned half hour interval that followed the sixth gripping bout. All of the other rooms were repurposed for the home and ‘away’ fighters (perhaps a slightly loose term when they likely live in OX1).
2025’s Town vs. Gown marked the return to the Union for the first time since 2022, having taken a brief hiatus at Iffley Road, and while Oxford may have been staying on home turf, it didn’t seem to give them much of an advantage. Of the fights between OUABC’s (Oxford University Amateur Boxing Club) fighters and external competition, only men’s light heavyweight Michael Cheng ran out victorious in a gut-wrenching final contest that would have sent even the most hard-nailed hacks packing from St. Michael’s Street.
In spite of the vastly different circumstances, the Union’s typical patrons turned up in droves on Saturday. Indeed, the dress code seemed to be even more formal than usual, as spectators clad in black tie piled into their seats and lined the balconies in anticipation of a mouth-watering card. Newly-anointed Union president Israr Khan watched on from a reliable distance befitting for an illustrious lawyer rather than an athlete. Oxford’s own Dana White can be seen exhibiting similar reactions to his UFC counterpart in the Instagram reel posted to the official Union page.
Both Town and Gown put forward a strong and diverse group of fighters, including OUABC’s [former hitman] Giles Moon, the long-lost third Klitschko brother (see OUABC fighter profiles for proof) and two women’s fighters who both battled valiantly despite falling to their opponents. Khan mentioned the second of Oxford’s female fighters, Eilish Farrelly, as a particular highlight as her fight culminated in a stunning final round where neither fighter left an ounce of effort on the table. Most of Town’s diversity came from the various university-based and regional backgrounds, with some hailing from boxing clubs as far flung as Bristol and the bright lights of Slough.
The visitors were remorseless in putting their opposition to the sword, with towels flying in from the red corner before the allotted three rounds of two minutes were up. Nevertheless, the Gown faithful remained undeterred and continued to cheer their fighters on until the final bell. The hallowed chamber was like a lion’s den for four short hours, with every jab, hook, and uppercut from an Oxford boxer soliciting another tidal wave of noise.
For those who were not satisfied by the extravaganza put on by OUABC’s finest, another boxing event looms on the horizon. The sensation that is ‘Fight Night’ will be held in Oxford for the very first time next term, having already swept the nation’s various other universities in support of Oddballs. If even that isn’t enough either, look out for OUABC’s announcement of their varsity fights against Cambridge, also hopefully coming soon.
Winners:
Jayden Walsh (West Herts ABC) bt James Somper (Oxford Uni)
Will Fahie (Oxford Uni) bt Giles Moon (Oxford Uni)
Holly White (UWE) bt Jasmine Guo (Oxford Uni)
Taylor Cordery (Kayani Camp) bt Rory Mitchell (Oxford Uni)
Ife Isaacs (Bristol Uni) bt Theo Anderson (Oxford Uni)
Dylan Wilson (Oxford Uni) bt Iain Pless (Oxford Uni)
Tom Wise (Oxford Uni) bt Madoc Wade (Oxford Uni)
Ciaran Oloan (Oxford Uni) bt Joseph Muckle (Oxford Uni)
Katie-Jayne Patek (Borehamwood) bt Eilish Farrelly (Oxford Uni)
Thomas Ivory (Borehamwood) bt Alex Hjorthol (Oxford Uni)
Michael Cheng (Oxford Uni) bt Arran Morton (Oxford Brookes)
