Cambusnethan Miners’ Welfare ABC took some wins at the Scottish Novice Championships last month, but put several young boxers through their paces as well in a home show.
Prior to the finals, some of the club’s cubs had some skills bouts, with schoolboy boxers Reegan Birtea and Zak Goodfellow also putting on an exhibition match.
Harvey Jaap was also involved in a skills bout against a boxer from Hawick, with both showing good promise.
When the finals got underway, Jack Dunbar was left disappointed when his opponent pulled out due to injury following the weigh-in.
Ross ‘The Kid’ Dobbin won all three rounds against a fighter from Drumchapel, with judges awarding him an unanimous decision.
Meanwhile, Mia Pearson was up against her opponent from last year’s Novice Championships, Rosie Swailes from Hawick, who won on a 3-2 split, despite some good boxing from Pearson.
Kendra Felvus won in a 3-2 split following a thriller of a bout against a quality fighter from Jonesy’s in Stirling.
Felvus was also awarded best Home Boxer at the end of the show for her performance.
Emma McCafferty was up against an older, more experienced boxer from Meadowbank, but went toe-to-toe with her and showed great heart, but her opponent’s strength and experience showed in the third round.
Filip Filipczak was up against another novice boxer from Blantyre in an exciting fight, and showed some great boxing throughout to take a clear win.
Aaron ‘Benny’ Bennett was up against Leo Jamieson from Cain in Aberdeen, and showed relentless pressure throughout.
Bennett had his opponent on the canvas in the first round with a cracking right, though the referee ruled it was a slip.
However, the Cambusnethan boxer had his opponent on the back foot and took the win in a split.
A significant weight difference on the scales meant Marcus Gill’s bout was an exhibition.
In Brooklyn Kyle’s first bout, he was in against a slightly heavier opponent and showed some good skills, but the referee called a halt in the second round due to a nose injury suffered by Kyle.
There was disappointment for Declan McCourt as he lost out in his first bout against an opponent from Barrhead, with the latter getting on the front foot and quickly controlling the fight.
Reece Muir was up against an opponent from Rob Roy, who he had defeated in the Western District final two weeks previously.
Muir mixed up accurate counter-punching with strong combinations to take a convincing unanimous win.
Top of the bill was Brendan Reilly, against a boxer from Irvine Elite and, after a cagey match, the judges handed the win to the Ayrshire fighter. A rematch has been arranged for May.
There were also several special awards presented at the show.
The Jim Barr Memorial Shield for Most Improved Boxer for the season was presented to Emma McCafferty.
And Reece Muir was awarded the Chris’ House Shield for Boxer of the Season. Reece is current Scottish and Western District champion.
Head coach Gerry Taggart said: “The show was an absolute success and we would like to thank all of our bout sponsors, especially our main show sponsors, Kyle and Sons Electrical Contractors and C-Tech Integrations.
“Well done to all boxers who took part. Win or lose it takes huge guts to step into the ring.
“A massive thank you to all the coaches, and Western District officials, whose hard work on a voluntary basis allow club shows like these to happen.”
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