The third in the Amateur Boxing Scotland BRING BACK BOXING Home International series at Meadowbank on Saturday was a resounding success and bodes well for future internationals. A Scottish victory was witnessed by a massive crowd of over 600 spectators, proving that Amateur Boxing is once again gaining popularity in Scotland and events such as these can only help increase that popularity.
The BRING BACK BOXING Home international was a great success. The large crowd in the arena was very impressive and really spurred the boxers on. Hopefully the achievements from this event will see more nations become part of the Bring Back Boxing Campaign and make it a truly international series. Colin Jones, Wales Coach and Former British, Commonwealth & European, Welterweight Champion
This was a really professional operation. The event organization was superb. We want more Bring Back Boxing Bob McCoy, Team Manager, Wales
I was thrilled to be part of this. The atmosphere from the large crowd was brilliant. Scotland has a really strong squad now Luke Fleming, Welsh Squad Youth Boxer
Good to be back in Scotland at another successful boxing event. The hospitality from ABS was second to none. This type of initiative can only help the Home Nations get better Martin Utley, Coach, England
Judging by this, Scotland has got a whole lot better in the last year! Boxing fan, Wales
Solid Scotland rout Wales in thrilling Boxing International
Scotland made it back to back victories in their third Bring Back Boxing Home International. The biggest International in 10 years saw around 600 supporters turned out at packed Meadowbank Sports Centre, spurring Scotland on to a convincing 10-5 victory against a spirited Wales.
It was Wales who took the opening encounter, with Edinburghs Liam Tervert unable to make the most of his height advantage. Jarod Jones picked his shots well and kept Tervert pinned back. Scotland wasted no time in evening things up however, with Reece McFadden defeating Wales Jack Parry. Parry appeared content to look for the counter attack and it was his lack of attack that allowed McFadden to win comfortably.
Brandon Singh delivered one of Scotlands most promising performances beating Robbie Vernon with his quick hands, almost knocking him down in the first. Paul Morrison continued Scotlands momentum with another fine performance against the talented Monty Lee. Things got no better for Wales as Craig McIntyre and Sam Ball both won by narrow margin against Jamie Viscount and Luca Dragoni respectively.
Welshman Aled Cook did his utmost to drag Wales back into the fixture with a great victory. His slick defense and counter attacking proved too much for Danny Tarling. Owen Williams, buoyed on by his compatriot, put in a solid performance. Despite Declan McCuskers willingness to fight, Williams accuracy saw him win comfortably. Mark McKeown snuffed Wales attempt at a comeback with an emphatic victory against Ben Crocker. McKeown imposed his physicality and his slick combinations left Crocker reeling on more than one occasion, including a standing eight count. Robbie McKechnie followed for Scotland with a closely fought victory against Nathan Flagan.
Next up was the highly anticipated bout between Louise Mitchell, Scotlands first female internationalist, and Wales Charlene Jones. Despite a highly respectable performance and a strong last round from Louise, she was out-boxed by Jones whose experience was the difference between the two. Regardless of the result, Louise through her performance and media exposure has opened the doors for young Scottish women and girls to get involved in the sport. Womens Boxing Coach Mark Geraghty said, She did herself proud and under the pressure, coped incredibly.
Scotland returned to winning ways with a determined looking Ryan Collins choosing his shots well against Kazim Ghani. Bryce Stewart went out aggressively but in the end was easily defeated by Sam Baker who came strong in the final round. The last fight before the headline bouts saw Martin McCord take on Luke Fleming. It was a fairly closely fought battle until the final round when Scot McCord stepped things up and had Fleming in trouble with a late standing eight count.
The headline bouts saw Scotland continue their dominance. Joe Ham was first up and made short work of Englishman Qais Ashfaq, an English and British champion on more than one occasion and a member of the GB Boxing squad. The Scottish Commonwealth boxer, cheered on by an impressive Meadowbank crowd, made all the right moves from a water-tight defense despite the quick hand speed of Ashfaq.
Aston Brown took on Englands Thomas Langford in the penultimate match-up. Both fighters demonstrated quick hands in what was an exciting bout, but it was Brown who was able to land more punches, showing real flare against a tough, strong opponent. He had a particularly impressive finish to the final round where he landed some great combinations.
Scotlands Commonwealth silver medalist, Josh Taylor, signaled a perfect end to a fantastic day for his team. Despite the judges scoring heavily in favour of Josh Taylor over Mitch Buckland, the young Scotsman looked frustrated at the end of the bout. Taylor clearly has high expectations for himself but should be encouraged by his margin of victory. Despite the advances of Wales Buckland, Taylor was able to shrug these off and score well, making the most of his height advantage. A great moment for Taylor as his winners presentation was made by Scotlands greatest world champion, Ken Buchanan.
For all media enquiries including image and interview requests please contact Peter Maniam on 07971 639014 or at peter@movingincircles.com.
For further info visit www.amateurboxingscotland.co.uk or connect on facebook @ Amateur Boxing Scotland and Twitter at www.twitter.com/bringbackboxing
ENDS>
Notes to Editors
1. Full Home International dates are:
Scotland v England 11th Dec 2010
Scotland v Sweden 18th Dec 2010
Scotland v Wales 15th Jan 2011
Scotland v Northern Ireland 22nd Jan 2011
2. Full Results Scotland V Sweden
Juniors
Born 1996
52kg Jarod Jones (Wales) bt Liam Tervert (Lochend ABC) v
Born 1995
46kg Rees McFadden (Forgewood ABC) bt Jack Parry (Wales)
46kg Brandon Singh (Kingdom Dundee) bt Robbie Vernon (Wales)
48kg Paul Morrison (Greenock) bt Monty Lee (Wales)
52kg Craig McIntyre (Dennistoun ABC) bt Jamie Viscount (Wales)
54kg Sam Ball (Greenock ABC) bt Luca Dragoni (Wales)
60kg Aled Cook (Wales) bt Danny Tarling (Kelty ABC)
Born 1994
52kg Owen Williams (Wales) bt Declan McCusker (Barn, Coatbridge)
57kg Mark McKeown (Barn, Coatbridge) bt Ben Crocker (Wales)
57kg Robbie McKechnie (Greenock ABC) bt Nathan Flanagan (Wales)
Youths
Born 1993
64kg Martin McCord (Doonvalley ABC) bt Luke Fleming (Wales)
56kg Sam Baker (Wales) bt Bryce Stewart (Zetland ABC, Grangemouth)
56kg Ryan Collins (Irvineburgh) bt Kazim Ghani (Wales)
First Ever Female International Clash
60kg Charlene Jones (Wales) bt Louise Mitchell (Scotland)
Top Of The Bill Bouts
64kg Josh Taylor (Commonwealth Silver Medallist) bt Mitch Buckland (Wales)
56kg Joe Ham (Renfrewshire) bt Qais Ashfaq (England)
69kg Aston Brown (Renfrewshire) bt Tommy Langford (England)
