Irvine Vineburgh Boxing Club is savouring a knockout start to the new year.
Gold medals, international call-ups and rubbing shoulders with Commonwealth Games winners – it’s all been in a month’s work for the club’s fledgling fighters.
A dream start to the competitive season saw up and coming aces Lucas Boyd, Liam Boyd, Oscar Steele and Kyle McGowan win gold at the Western District Schools and Junior Championships.
Lucas Boyd defeated Callum Hand of Southside BC on points to win the 2011 40kg category.
Liam Boyd, no relation, won two bouts on his way to being crowned champion in the 2009 48kg category, beating Noah Waddle of Inverclyde BC on points in the final.
There was gold glory too for Kyle McGowan in the 2009 34kg category after a points win over George Parvin of The Shire BC in Wishaw.
Oscar Steele followed suit by defeating Logan Rae of Cambusnethan BC in the final of the 2008 57kg category.
Aaron Connor and Kyle Davidson brought home silver medals while Scottish champion Mason Salmon was forced to withdraw from the competition after being unable to secure a bout in two weight classes.
Proud Vineburgh coach Alec Mullen said: “All the boys were brilliant. The four golds equalled the best tally at this year’s competition and we would have had five if Mason had been able to fight. Unfortunately no-one wanted to fight him because he’s such a talent.”
Matthew McDonald, the club’s reigning Scottish Elite Welterweight Champion, returned from an international class training camp in Holland.
The 22-year-old was part of an eight-strong Boxing Scotland ‘elite group’ who took part in sparring sessions with the Dutch national team.
Closer to home, five of the club’s young boxers rubbed shoulders with Commonwealth Games gold winner and World bronze medallist Reese Lynch during a day’s sparring at Rob Roy Boxing Club in Glasgow alongside Middlesbrough ABC and Derry Mathews Boxing Academy.
Mark Harkins, Liam Boyd, Aaron Connor, Mason Salmon and Nathan Lewis all had the chance to chat with Fauldhouse ace Lynch and see his belt up close before posing for a happy snap.
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