Grant just misses out on first title
A Rutherglen teenager was narrowly defeated in the final of the Scottish Intermediate Championships.
Brandon Grant, 14, lost by split decision to Aberdeen’s William Williamson at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell.
Three boxers entered the 41-45kg weight category and Brandon was drawn against Mathew Gemmill of Barrhead ABC in the semi-final.
His opponent started really fast and did not give the Rutherglen boxer time to get into any sort of rhythm and won the first round.
But the Durie’s ABC member quickly adapted to the fast pace and he came out victorious in the following two rounds to get the nod from all five judges to win by unanimous decision.
He went straight into the final the following day, Sunday, January 28, against William Williamson who had a bye into final.
In this final both lads were very similar in styles. Both liked to wait on the other to come forward and then counter punch with their own shots.
It was a very close fight with Brandon winning the second round quite clearly but when the decision came back at the end, it went to the Byron ABC fighter by a split decision of 4-1.
Brandon’s coach Archie Durie said: “Young Brandon Grant was superb over the weekend with a good semi-final win and he was very unlucky not to get the nod to win his first title on the Sunday.”
Brandon will have another opportunity for a title when he competes in the schoolboy Western Districts on February 10 and 11 before appearing in the Durie’s home show in the Kings Park Hotel on February 16.
The following weekend also includes bouts at the Scottish Open Championships.