RISING SON
The offspring of a former pro is coming along nicely
ON a night that honoured former WBO flyweight champion Pat Clinton at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dumbarton’s Martin Harkin comfortably outpointed Southwark-based Italian Victor Edagha over six sessions. Harkin controlled the contest from the outset, displaying his boxing skills against an awkward opponent.
Harkin came to press the action, but Edagha utilised good movement throughout, and it was his footwork that kept him out of trouble for the most part. The Scot showcased a good jab, and pushed the spoiling Edagha onto the back foot for much of the bout. Harkin used his welltimed jab-right hand combination effectively.
Referee Kenny Pringle scored the matchup 60-54 in favour of Martin, who is following in the ring footsteps of his father, Robert Harkin, who challenged for the British and Commonwealth superlightweight titles in the late 1980s.
Kilmarnock’s Jordan Beveridge
was surprisingly stopped after 1-34 of the opener (set for four) by Lithuania’s Edvinas Puplauskas.
Mr Pringle halted the contest after Puplauskas landed two wild right hands on the temple of Beveridge, sending him to the canvas. Jordan got to his feet, but was in no position to continue.
In a four-rounder, Barrhead’s Gary Rae was shockingly put down by a powerful counter right hand from Lithuania’s Simas Volosinas in the third. Despite this hiccup, Rae was in control for the other three frames, as he boxed well at range and threw some accurate combinations to both the head and body. Mr Pringle scored the fight 38-37 in favour of the Scotsman.
THE VERDICT Novice Harkin looks like one to watch.