WHAM-BAM ANDY THAM

Jon Bruce watches a debutant produce a sparkling performance

THE St. Andrew’s Sporting Club did not have their troubles to seek, with two bouts being moved to exhibition matches due to late call-offs. It was left to Andy Tham from Cumbernauld to step into the breach at the Radisson Blu Hotel. He was not only making his professional debut, but was also elevated to main event status in his clash with Hungary’s Istvan Kovacs, slated for four rounds.

Tham displayed as much guile as he did grit, and looks to possess a slick, stiff jab. He used the double jab to particularly good effect in the first round, and some quick combinations had his opponent wobbled at one point. It was more of the same in rounds two and three, with Kovacs, his face bloodied, attempting to hold on to escape further punishment.

In the last round, Tham increased the pressure yet again, with a right hand knocking out the gumshield of Kovacs. The end was near, and a body shot made the visitor sink to his knees. Although he beat the count, referee Kenny Pringle had seen enough and rightly stopped the contest at 2-51 of the final frame.

Martin Harkin was unfortunately left frustrated yet again. For the third time, the Dumbarton resident saw a scheduled Celtic title tilt fall through due to his opponent pulling out. He did, however, take part in an exhibition bout against Dumfries’ Trigger Wood, and will hopefully get his title shot soon.

Billy “The Butcher” Stuart also missed out on a proper run-out, as his planned adversary failed to show. Instead, the Macduff man engaged in an entertaining exhibition with young Scot Neil Mccubbin.