Amateur Boxing Scotland – Promoting and Developing Amateur Boxing In Scotland

Crystal Palace Football Club provided the spectacular venue for the dual match, with Team England being represented by seven of their top boxers.

Connor McGregor (Clovenstone) opened proceedings with a solid performance, making his debut on a 3 x 3s contest.  England’s George Hillier came out from the opening bell making good use of the lead jab, causing Connor some problems at the outset.  However, as soon as Connor found his timing and adopted a solid positive defence, he was catching Hillier with clear bent arm counters.  With only 2 points separating both boxers at the end, unfortunately for Team Scotland England got the decision.  The general consensus from the spectators and Team Scotland though was Connor deserved the win – overall a great performance from the young lad – Final score George Hillier 14 Connor McGregor 12.

Next up was Stephen Tiffany (Lochend), who was up against the very experienced Josh Kennedy.  In what proved to be a high scoring contest, both boxers were throwing successful combinations in close – mid range.  Behind by 3 points after the first round, Stephen kept his composure and starting scoring with definitive close range counters.  The last round saw the Scottish boxer really giving it his all, with both a high work rate and the will to win.  The judges clearly thought the same, with Stephen winning the last by 4 clear points which was enough to award him the victory.  Another excellent all round performance – Final score Stephen Tiffney 19 Josh Kennedy 17.

The third bout saw Lewis Paulin (Meadowbank) take on Repton’s Chris Ali.  In what was a superb performance from the Scottish boxer, Lewis dominated proceedings from the outset.  Ali came out in the first full of confidence as you would expect from a Repton boxer, however Lewis applied educated pressure with quick feet and a tight guard.  Rocking Ali with a decisive lead hook early on, Lewis’s timing and accuracy was second to none.  Gaining confidence as the bout went on; Lewis produced a crowd pleasing performance with high tempo and accurate boxing.  A very worthy win for team Scotland and a fantastic win for one of Scotland’s brightest new prospects – Final score Lewis Paulin 19 Chris Ali 11.

The last bout before the interval saw Scotland’s GB Development boxer Rob McKechnie (Greenock) in against the seasoned Royal Marine boxer Ricky Rose.  Using all his experience from the outset, Rose made clever use of his long range lead hand making things difficult for Rob from the first bell.  Rob used all his experience to close the gap against the English boxer, drifting in and out of range trying to create the opening before committing himself.  However, in what was to be the theme of the bout, wily Rose smothered Rob’s work as Rob attempted find the target against the rangy boxer.   Rob adapted as the bout went on, using feints and dummy’s to create a gap but the English boxer managed to catch Rob with the very crucial eye catching long range punch.  A valiant effort from Rob, but it was not to be for the Scottish boxer this time round – Final score Ricky Rose 10 Rob McKechnie 5.

James Thompson (Hillpark) entered the ring after the interval, faced with arguably one of the best boxers in England at present, Tom Horgan from Nemesis ABC.  In what was to be a test of composure and concentration, James boxed superbly from the first bell.  Using his slight height and reach advantage, James found the range early on with his rear hand landing some telling blows on his English opponent.  Applying sound tactical awareness, James used his lead hand jab effectively to set up the long rear hand and mid-range lead hook.  Unfortunately, the judges saw it closer than what Team Scotland thought scoring the first round a draw.  Team England obviously knew they had to step it up as the bout was not going as they would have planned, and Horgan did start to land some telling blows of his own but nothing that the Scottish boxer didn’t match.  The bout started to even up in the closing stages, with the crowd cheering on their home boxer as it was evident to see either boxer could have sealed the victory.  However, Horgans experience slightly edged it giving the win to Team England.  However, a marvellous display of nerve and grit from James, a performance which really proved the Scottish lad can mix it with the best – Final score Tom Horgan 19 James Thompson 13.

James Dickie (Kingdom) was up next for Scotland, drawn against Mick O Rourke from England.  James started the contest very fast, with a string fast clusters of punches together and showing good lateral movement.  O’Rourke adopted a high tight guard and absorbed a lot of the work applied by James, looking to throw the eye catching last punch of every exchange.  This tactic favoured the English boxer, who went into a 4 point lead at the end of the first round.  Aware the judges were not scoring James work on the back foot, the Scottish boxer attempted to meet O Rourke in the centre of the ring.  Although trying to adapt his game plan to suit, James was always playing catch up to the English boxer who sealed the victory at the end of the last round.  However, James produced a gutsy performance against the eventual best boxer of the evening – Final score Mick O’Rourke 18 James Dickie 6.

Last up for Team Scotland was Grant Quigley (Port Glasgow Victoria) against Archie Hutchins of England, in what proved to be an absolute cracker to end the evening.  Grant applied solid educated pressure from the beginning, walking his opponent down and firing solid head and body punches when the opportunity was there.  Grant seemed to be controlling the bout in the early stages, but unfortunately the judges did not see the same with Grant down by 3 points at the end of the second round.  In what was to be an amazing show of courage and determination, the Scottish boxer took it too his opponent in the last knowing the scoring was not favouring Team Scotland.  Applying consistent pressure and catching Hutchins with some bone shaking punches, the crowd were on their feet as both boxers pushed themselves to their limits.  With the round nearly at a close, Grant put together phase of attack after phase of attack, with the English boxer eventually weltering as the referee jumped in to give the Englishman a standing count.  With both boxers clearly tired due to the tempo of the bout, Grant dug deep and wore National pride on his sleeve taking it too his opponent straight after the count.  With the crowd on their feet at the end of the contest, anticipation set in as the scores were announced level at 12 – 12 which saw the result going to count back.   Team Scotland held their breath as the referee then put Grant’s hand in the air with a breath-taking count back score of 80-58 to Grant Quigley – an amazing performance from the Scottish boxer in what was an unforgettable last round.

All boxers can be proud of their achievements in this dual, narrowly missing out by 4 bouts to 3 on the night.  However, with a different perception from the judges on one of the bouts it could so easily have been then other way round to Scotland.