Phoenix fight night draws large crowd

Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club rose like its proverbial namesake on Saturday night at the Nevis Centre in Fort William when it held its first boxing show in two years to a packed attendance, which enjoyed 13 high quality boxing matches.

Not only did the night feature four Lochaber boxers in matches against boxers from other Scottish clubs but also nine international bouts as the Boxing Scotland Development squad faced their English counterparts in an international duel which featured Scottish, English, GB and European champions and medallists.

The event was a first for the Highlands and great credit must go the new look Lochaber Phoenix backroom staff of coaches Adam Watson and Kevin Kennedy, Stephen McManus (who became the first ever Fort Williamborn judge to officiate at an international meeting) and club president Iain Ferguson, who banded together to produce a fantastic night’s entertainment.

Topping the bill was Lochaber’s Kevin Aitchison, who boxed at middleweight against Granite City’s Anthony Guture in a bout that went back and forth with both boxers enjoying periods of success but the more educated jab of Aitchison proved

to be the difference, helping him to a points victory.

Aitchison also gained the distinction of becoming the first Lochaber Phoenix boxer to compete in every age category in boxing from schoolboy to senior.

Reigning Scottish schoolboy

Josh Dieguno unfortunately came out on the wrong end of a decision against another Granite City boxer, Ben Bonnar.

Slow start

Dieguno finished the bout strongly but unfortunately a slow start cost him the chance of victory.

There were debuts in two exhibitions for senior boxers Farquhar MacRae, at heavyweight, and Siobhan Duncan, at welterweight, who became Fort William’s first ever female boxer, who both boxed much more experienced opposition.

Both showed tremendous

BOXING

potential in what was the perfect preparation for their first competitive contests which will come this weekend in the Scottish novice championships at Ravenscraig, Motherwell. Photographs: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos and Abrightside Photography

Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos Lochaber’s Kevin Aitchison, right, won his senior contest and headline bout of the evening against Granite City’s Anthony Guture.

Lochaber Phoenix boxers, from left, Farquhar MacRae, Siobhan Duncan, Josh Dieguno and Kevin Aitchison.

Lochaber boxer Kevin Aitchison was one of Saturday night’s winning fighters.

Siobhan Duncan was making her debut.

Thirteen-year-old Josh Dieguno in action against Ben Bonner from the Granite City Club of Aberdeen.

Phoenix boxer Farquhar MacRae gave an excellent account of himself on his debut which was an exhibition bout against Scottish Champion Scott Edwards.