GWENT fighters past and present were among those honoured at the British Boxing Board of Control’s Welsh Area Council Awards.

As well as recognising the current stars of boxing in Wales, the ceremony also paid tribute to those who have long since hung up their gloves.

Cefn Fforest’s Robbie Regan, a Welsh, British, European and WBO world champion, was inducted into the Welsh Boxing Hall of Fame.

Joining him was Percy Jones, Wales’ first ever world champion in 1914.

Kieran Gething’s Welsh welterweight title fight against Tony Dixon at the Newport Centre last October won the 2018 Contest of the Year award.

The bout edged out the British lightweight title eliminator between St Joseph’s Gavin Gwynne and Englishman Myron Mills which took place on the same night.

Dixon prevailed in a close contest with Gething, but the latter has another chance to land his first belt in the pro ranks when he goes for the vacant super-lightweight crown.

Pontypool ace Gething faces Henry Janes at The Neon in Newport on Saturday.

“It’s an honour to pick up the award,” said Gething. “It’s something I’ve always wanted and I’m over the moon to win contest of the year.

“I was disappointed not to get the belt, but I pride myself on having fights people enjoy watching as it means they are going to want to watch me again.”

Prospect of the Year went to Pontllanfraith super-middleweight Kody Davies, someone else who has a Welsh title fight on the horizon. St Joes’ Lance Cooksey was also nominated for the award.

Ex-British light-heavyweight king Eddie Avoth (Lifetime Achievement Award), ex-British, Commonwealth and European champion Colin Jones (Services to Boxing), two-weight British champion Liam Williams (Member Award for Outstanding Achievements), Jay Harris (Boxer of the Year) and writer Gareth Jones (Contribution to Boxing) were the other winners.

The weigh-in for Saturday’s show is at 2pm on Friday at Bar Amber on Clarence Place in Newport and is open to the public.

The Neon event can be viewed online via nothingelseon.tv