Boxing club notches up series of successes

Dec 23 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TALENTED young boxers have punched their way to a series of gold medals.

The youngsters from Blantyre Miners’ Welfare Amateur Boxing Club notched-up 10 golds and a silver at the Scottish Novice Championships in Coatbridge, which attracted more than 300 entrants from across Scotland.

Among the winners was Ross Greig (14) from Blantyre, who won the 48k Scottish Novice title after beating Allan Sheddon (West Kilbride) in the semi-final and Doon Valley’s Mark Waugh in the final.

Mark McShane (12) from Larkhall won the 54k title by beating Jordan Stuart from Larkfield.

Josh Sandford (15) from East Kilbride won the 60k title after defeating Denis Broadhurst from Doonhamers.

David Jamieson (18) from East Kilbride won the 81k light heavyweight title by beating Connor Brown from Leith Victoria.

And Thomas O’Neill (13) won silver in a closely-fought contest at 50k. Thomas lost on a majority verdict against Alloa’s Jamie Smith.

Coach Tommy Slaven said: “This is a great success for the club as over the past two years we have put 11 of our fighters forward for the competition and have walked away with 10 champions and one runner-up.

“Last year, we entered six and all won the title – to achieve success like that again this year is fantastic and really is a great testimony to the efforts these lads put in, with our coaches John McDermott, Tommy Campbell, Terry McCrory and Steven Sneddon.

“It’s massive for the boys and a massive boost – they’re up against the whole of Scotland, and to win a national title at any level is up there.”

Blantyre Miners’ Welfare Amateur Boxing Club hope to be just as successful at the Western District Regional Finals at the Pivot Centre, Moodiesburn, on the weekend of January 22 and 23.