TITLE TAKER
Rutherglen and Cambus boxers in Western District bouts
A Rutherglen teenager is out to defend his Scottish boxing title for the second time after an inspiring performance claimed him another domestic honour.
Shahzman Parnez, 13, bounced back from losing the first round to opponent Szilagyi Csaba to win gold at the Western District Championships by split decision on Sunday.
The Stonelaw High School pupil went straight into his respective final of 59kgs in Milton along with fellow Durie’s ABC boxers Lewis Millar, 34kg, and Euan Caldwell, 44kg.
And although he started slowly, Shazman showed good fast feet from the second round onwards to score clean, straight shots on the smaller Southside Boxing Academy boxer.
The judges voted 4-1 in favour of the Rutherglen fighter who won the competition in 2017 and now aims to have similar success on February 24 and 25.
Shahzman said: “I’m buzzing. That’s my second year running I’ve won this title, and I also won the Scottish twice so in a couple of weeks I can make it three Scottish titles in a row. I’m excited about the thought of that.”
Next in for the Rutherglen club was 14-yearold Euan who held his own but ultimately came up against too strong an opponent in ex-Durie’s fighter James Sweeney, now with club Rob Roy.
Euan said: “I felt I more than showed I can box at the levels of a current Scottish champion.
“And I look forward to maybe meeting him again in the Scottish.”
His club mate Lewis, 10, was also in good form and bagged himself a gold medal as he narrowly edged it in his fight with Connor McCabe, of Cambuslang club O’Neil’s ABC.
Having advanced to the final after a preliminary bout with Ayrshire’s Irvine Vineburgh on Saturday, Lewis continued to produce good straight left and right combinations to claim the title by unanimous
decision. Saif Akram, 10, and Raja Rahman, 13, were also entered into the Western District competition but were unlucky not to make their finals.
Meanwhile, O’Neil’s boxing coach Brian Murphy hailed the club’s representatives who brought home two silver and a gold medal from the Western District event.
Taylor McMahon proved too much for his Cleland opponent while Kai Burrell and Connor were runners-up.
Nicholas Devlin also won his semi-final against Alexander McDonald but a date has yet to be confirmed for his showdown for the 56kg title this week.
Two other O’Neils members entered but there was no eligible opponents. Coach Murphy commented:“All the boys did very well and gave 100 per cent.
“Nicholas, who is in the Scotland squad, doesn’t have date for his final yet but he should have no problems. He outboxed McDonald.
“I’d also like to mention Daniel McMurray and Chloe Bodwick who both entered the championships but couldn’t fight because there is nobody in their weight they could fight.
“It’s a shame because they won gold last year and won the Scottish and are in the Scotland squad too.
“We’re worried they can’t fight in the Scottish this year because they can’t progress by getting more experience.”