There is no better feeling in the world than getting your hand raised at the end of a tough bout.
That was the message from Perth boxer Luke Bibby after an impressive performance over in Lithuania.
Bibby again had the Scotland vest on last week as he competed at the XXVI Algirdas Socikas Elite Tournament.
He navigated through to the final of the 63.5kg category thanks to two top wins - comfortably getting the better of a home fighter before edging an experienced opponent from the Czech Republic in the last four.
The semi-final split decision triumph was particularly pleasing for Bibby who, recently, had been on the end of a couple of harsh verdicts from judges.
“I’d had a duel match with the English champion and I lost that on a split, which I thought I had,” Bibby explained.
“Then there was the one at the recent European Championships, which I definitely should have won.
“I don’t like using the word robbed, although I felt it was a poor decision against Spain.
“But I needed to put that behind me so I got right back in the gym.
“That was good preparation for the tournament in Lithuania and I made sure to turn a negative into a positive.
“You need to take it on the chin because it’s part of the game.”
Bibby added: “The second fight against the boxer from Czech Republic was won by split decision. It felt good to be on the right side.
“I knew it was close. In these international tournaments, you get the scores in between rounds.
“You know how you are getting on and don’t need to wait until the end of the fight.
“I’d lost the first round on all the cards, but won the second. It was all on that last round.
“And I just knew I’d won it. I’d given it my all and had landed more shots.
“When I got the decision, I was over the moon - the best feeling on the planet.”
Unfortunately, Bibby had picked up a head knock in the opening round of the semi-final.
Eye swelling increased and he was ruled out of the final - against fellow Scot Charlie Doig - by the doctor.
“I thought there had been vaseline that had moved down past my eyebrow,” Bibby recalled.
“My vision was going a wee bit and I’d told the corner to get it out of my eye.
“I kept dabbing at it but it wasn’t going away. It turned out it was the swelling.
“Overnight it got worse and the doctor wouldn’t let me fight in the final.
“I was doing everything to get past the doctor but they need to put your health first.”
Bibby is now preparing for a trip across the Atlantic.
“It’s been pretty full on since the start of the year,” he smiled. “I’ve been living out of a suitcase.
“I’ve had a couple days off then I think I’ll be away to America on a training camp.
“I’ll get back and then there is the home show with Perth Railway Club. I’m buzzing to fight in Perth again.”
