Coach Durie hoping for a pro champion

Rutherglen boxing coach Archie Durie hopes one of two fighters will return with a professional title this year.

Polish fighter Piotr Gora and Abie Tweedlie are involved in bouts arranged by promoter Sam Kynoch in August and September, and Durie reckons they have what it takes to go the distance.

Gora, 31, fights at cruiserweight, while Abie Tweedlie, 28, (pictured left with Archie Durie) is at super welterweight.

Archie, who runs Durie’s Boxing Gym on Cambuslang Road, said:“Piotr has had two fights with me, won one and lost one, and Able has only had the one fight, but he won that, stopping the boy in the second round.

“They’ve been with me for about a year. The two of them are good boys and potentially they’re going places.

“I’ve not had a professional champion yet; I’ve had British, Scottish, District and amateur champions, but not a professional one yet, and I’m hoping that one of these boys will be able to do the damage for me.”

Archie added:”Abie used to kickbox, he’s won world titles in that, but is trying his hand at boxing, and he’s a solid boy.

“Piotr has had a number of fights back in Poland and he’s a very strong boy at cruiserweight, so I think both of them could bring titles back to the gym – the potential is there.”

Archie says boxers being able to return to the gym is making a big difference.

He said:“The buzz is great. Everybody’s missed being in the gym. You can train outside, but it’s not the same. Being indoors makes a big difference.”