SCULLY took it on the chin when he stepped into the ring to slug it out with ex-Royal Marine heavyweight boxer Brian McDermott... but he knew all the pain was in a great cause.

Ex-Saints skipper Paul Sculthorpe was undone by the ring know-how of the Leeds coach as the duel between the former rugby league players was top of the bill at the Netflights League At War charity boxing night at Sutton Leisure Centre to drum up extra cash for the Steve Prescott Foundation.

Hardman McDermott had joked beforehand he intended to touch up the good looks of the former Gillette model.

Scully though had been sparring for six months ahead of the contest and went into the scrap in belting shape.

However, the Yorkshireman’s experience proved the key as he picked off Scully with his jab.

The two-time ‘Man of Steel’ did rouse the partisan crowd when he pinned Brian on the ropes in the third and final round, but it was the latter who got the nod from the judges.

In total, there were six fights in aid of the charity set up by the inspirational Prescott, who has an incurable form of cancer.

Ex-Saints favourite Brian Dwyer, now a prison officer, came out on top in his clash with former fiery Leigh prop, Timmy Street.

Quickfire Sean Casey defeated St Helens rival Carl Cooper while in the contest between Yorkshire’s rugby league March twins, David beat Paul.

Former Wigan forward Mick Cassidy and Richard Fletcher slugged it out for a draw, while Ian Pickavance triumphed over ex-Widnes packman Esene Faimalo, once ranked the second best boxer in New Zealand, in the night’s big upset.

Herol Bomber Graham, the former flamboyant British Middleweight, added to the entertainment, by dancing around the ring as Warrington players, Richie Myler and Paul Wood in tandem attempted to land blows.

The event is expected to raise another £20,000 for the Steve Prescott Foundation.