Nic is golden boy
Fighter ends year on high note
Another win for boxing champion PAGE 72
Cambuslang teenage boxer Nicholas Devlin defeated a five-time Welsh champion to secure a gold medal for Scotland.
The Cathkin High School pupil was among 13 Scots fighters who travelled to Cardiff for international bouts on Saturday, December 10.
Nicholas, the current Scottish 50 kilo junior champion, won by a split decision against Garon Croft in a tough contest at Sport Wales National Centre.
The 15-year-old took gold on what was a disappointing day overall for Scotland who lost by two bouts, 8- 6, to the Wales national team.
“I was fighting the five-times Welsh champion so it was always going to be difficult but I won on a split decision,” Nicholas told the Reformer.
“He was a really big, tall boy so I couldn’t keep him at long range and had to keep it short at the start.
“It has given me real confidence but I’m used to these international fights.
“I’ve fought difficult opponents before so this was pretty much the same.”
Reflecting on another successful year for the teenager, the O’Neils Boxing Club member was glad to end his 2016 on a high.
He won the Sc ot t i s h Championships and came third in the British competition.
Nicholas was gutted to be knocked out of the European Junior Championships in June but gained invaluable experience from it. He was defeated on points as he represented Scotland at the competition in Keszthely, Hungary.
Nicholas said: “It’s been a good year. I’ve just been training really hard. It’s really good at O’Neils. We have quite a few boxers who are winning titles now.
“I’m starting my exams at school but I’m managing to fit the boxing in as well as school work.”
O’Neils coach Brian Murphy was delighted for Nicholas who he said has grown stronger and stronger since joining the club seven years ago.
He said: “It’s a great way for Nicholas to end the year by beating top opposition in their own back yard.
“Nicholas has always worked hard at his sport and gives 100 per cent every time.
“The club coaches are pleased with his progress and think he still has so much more to offer the sport and can go on to even bigger things.”