A father and son from Newport will achieve a unique family milestone when they both referee in the same boxing international.

John Reynolds, 66, of Ebenezer Drive, Rogerstone, refereed the first leg of a Wales versus USA amateur tournament in Swansea on Friday.

And son John junior, 43, of Claremont, Malpas, will referee the second leg in Cardiff next Friday.

John senior has been a referee for 20 years after getting involved at Newport Sporting Club, Stow Hill.

He has refereed around the world, at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester as well as European and British championships.

He said the pair are the only father and son who are International Amateur Boxing Association refrees and it is a “unique achievement”.

He said: “We went to the Celtic Games in Brittany in 1983 with Newport Sporting Club and both took part in events like football and throwing. But this is the is the first time we’ve been involved together as referees. It’ll be a very proud time.”

For John junior, the boxing ring is a world away from his day job, teaching Gwent children IT skills.

“When the children find out, it is a good talking point. I actually find that I’ve reffereed some of them who are members of boxing clubs,” he said.

John junior boxed from the age of 12 to 33, fighting 69 amateur contests and winning 40. He now referees in clubs and leisure centres once a week, after getting the refereeing bug from his dad.