Blantyre boxer Jacob Naismith created history in Turkey at the weekend when he became Scotland’s youngest fighter to take the 46kg EUBC schools crown – and the first-ever European champion for O’Neil’s ABC in Cambuslang.
The 14-year-old defeated Ireland’s James Michael Casey by a 3-2 split decision in the 46kg final in Erzurum to take gold for Scotland in front of his dad Ross.
It was Jacob’s 14th straight win in all competitions and he now holds a record of 26 wins and four defeats, with his last loss back in March 2020.
His success also makes him only the second Scottish fighter to win a EUBC Schools European Boxing Championships gold medal after Alan Perrie’s success in 2019.
Jacob overcame home boxer Ahmet Imren in his opening match, before defeating Dorian Kropog of the Czech Republic, Yoan Hristov of Bulgaria and then Casey to claim the title for Scotland, who took a four-strong team to Turkey which also included Thomas O’Reilly, Oscar Steele and Aaron Sarwar.
Proud dad Ross said: “Jacob boxed superbly all tournament.
“He won four contests to win the title and he seemed to get more into his groove as he went on.
“The final was against a very hard boxer from Ireland, and it was a tough contest for him. It was very close and he took it to the last round to get the title.”
Unfortunately for Jacob, who attends St John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton, he has been unable to make the most of his success just yet, after he and Ross picked up Covid on their return to Scotland.
Ross revealed “Jacob is ecstatic with his medal, but he’s got Covid now.
“He came home unwell and he’s really under the weather, so he’s not had the chance to enjoy it yet.
“It was three flights to get there and three flights back so that was an achievement in itself.
“It was hard conditions in Turkey. The venue was nearly two kilometres above sea level and it was very warm, so it was tough for all the boys out there.
“But overall it was a great first experience for Jacob and his team-mates.
“His Boxing Scotland coaches Niall Clark and James Paton really looked after him and they got their tactics spot on.”
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