Clubmates battle it out
Three young Rutherglenbased boxers put on a great show at the Scottish Novice Boxing Championships at the weekend.
Lewis Millar, Saif Akram, and Josh Bell were among more than 500 of the best young boxers in the country at Ravenscraig Sports Complex in Motherwell.
The lads had been training hard and were all fired up to represent their club well and bring medals back to their gym in Cambuslang Road.
Lewis and Saif, aged 10, both compete in the 36kg weight category and unfortunately the team mates were drawn against each other in the first round.
The pals were disappointed - as were their coaches - but both of them wanted to fight.
The Durie’s coaches withdrew from this bout and Scottish international coach Jordan Carey took Cambuslang lad Lewis’ corner, while Glasgow City ABC gym coaches Garry Porter and Barry Murphy took Saif’s corner.
As expected, the fight was a close contest, with the five judges scoring the bout 3-2 in favour of Saif.
Coach Archie Durie said:“In my 13 years of coaching that was the hardest thing that I’ve done. Sitting and watching these two young kids battle it out when they were put in together in their first heat round was emotional.
“As we watched it there was no cheering at all. As the result came in there was just a weird silence. But Saif can do his team-mate proud next weekend by winning this title to take it back to Durie’s.”
Meanwhile, Josh Bell had his first taste of victory in the ring on Saturday with a first round stoppage over Aberdeen lad Daniel Duncan.
The following day the East Kilbride lad took on Liam Flynn, of Midlothian ABC in Edinburgh.
Josh gave his all but lost a split-decision.
Durie’s coach Archie said: “Well done to all our three lads who fought.”
The Scottish Novice Boxing Championships conclude this weekend.