Seconds out for scrapper tomorrow

Johnstone boxer Robbie McKechnie is set for his Commonwealth Games bow tomorrow as he takes on Thomas Blumenfeld.

McKechnie, competing in the men’s 64kg light welterweight category, will take on the Canadian in the round of 16 as he bids to take home a medal.

The 23-year-old joined his coaches and teammates as the Team Scotland boxers found out the draw for the opening round.

The team are looking to continue a proud Scottish record in boxing at the Commonwealth Games, with athletes winning medals at every Games since its inception in 1930.

Three athletes who competed at Glasgow 2014 return to the ring for Scotland. Flyweight Reece McFadden, who wowed crowds on his way to a bronze medal four years ago, faces Keevin Allicock, of Guyana, in the first round.

Scott Forrest, heavyweight, returns against Elly Ocholla of Kenya, while light flyweight Aqeel Ahmed has a bye.

Two 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallists – John Docherty and Sean Lazzerini – make the step up to the senior Games in the Gold Coast.

Docherty has been drawn against Mauritius’ Jean Alberte, while Lazzerini is the only fighter in the ring on the first day of competition, starting his Games against Australian Clay Waterman.

All preliminary round fights take place between April 5 and 9.

McKechnie is aiming to make a name for himself, with the scrapper who boxes out of Greenock Boxing Club striving to make an impression on the global stage.

He is hoping to emulate Charlie Flynn, who won gold at Glasgow 2014 and has since turned professional, drawing with Irvine fighter Ryan Collins in his most recent bout at the SSE Hydro earlier this month.

He said: “I have been working hard building up to the Games and my ambition is to win the gold medal.

“Charlie did well. He beat me in a contest just before the Glasgow Games and has done well breaking into the professional scene.”

I have been working hard building up to the Games and my ambition to win gold