Head coach Des Brackett is predicting a close contest in Tuesday’s Varsity Match as Oxford University bid to recover from last year’s 9-0 drubbing.

Brackett is confident his side will fare far better than 2009 when they take on Cambridge in the clash at Oxford Town Hall (7.30pm).

Oxford have one survivor from that whitewash in lightweight Chris Pearson, while two-time victorious Blue Carl Walton returns at middleweight.

Brackett said: “It is going to be a close match. I think we have got a winning side.

“We all made mistakes last year and things didn’t go our way. We could make 100 excuses, but we now have a good chance of putting that right.

“Our boys are on their home territory, representing themselves and their colleagues.

“They are lucky to have the facilities to be able to box like this.”

Oxford also hope to give Dave Lee a bout at featherweight (57kg) level.

Tickets for the nine-bout contest cost between £20 and £60 and are available from Elmer Cotton Sports in Turl Street, Oxford.

Oxford University - 57kg: Melvin Chen. 60kg: Chris Pearson. 63kg: Leon Upton. 67kg: Josh Fields. 75kg – A: Carl Walton. B: Borna Guevel. 81kg: Ben Morris. 91kg: Jimmy Ogg.