ARTICLES
Taylor v Khongsong preview
I'd be lying if I said I knew anything about Thai professional boxing. The only combat athletes from Thailand that I was aware of growing up were Sagat, the scarred upper-cutting master in Street Fighter, and Tung-Po, the murderous villain in Jean Claude Van Damme's...
Anthony Joshua, race and false equivalence
Anthony Joshua’s appearance at a Black Lives Matter protest in his hometown, Watford, produced two breaking news stories. Journalists scrambled to upload speculation of an apparent injury as AJ limped amongst the thousand-strong crowd in a leg-brace. The economic boom...
Harkin triumphs at St Andrews Sporting Club’s Burns Supper
The skirl of the bagpipes could be heard from blocks away as we approached the Radisson Blu in Glasgow on Thursday [January 30]. At the doors of the hotel stood the female piper, welcoming revellers to the Burns Night Boxing Supper by St. Andrews Sporting Club. It was...
Martin Harkin: “He’ll need to shoot me to beat me!”
It was a miserable Thursday evening; I had just done a ten-hour shift and felt tired. Rain was battering the windscreen and it was dark already. I was thinking it was the kind of night to head home, get the feet up and watch Netflix but I had committed to going to see...
Burt: “These opportunities make all the sacrifices worth it.”
Breaking away from the Scottish boxing scene and getting an opportunity to become known across the whole of Britain can prove difficult. With limited opportunities and platforms available north of the border, boxers are often reliant on patience, making their way up...
Nathaniel Collins: “I don’t want to lose momentum so I keep pushing forward.”
For many of us the festive period marks minimal exercise, partying and over-eating and, as I trawl through Instagram, it appears many professional boxers are no different in taking some well-deserved rest after a busy year. One account that caught my eye featured...
Scottish boxing review, 2019
It's that time of year again when we all receive pairs of Wilson socks, put on a stone from living exclusively off chocolate and bevy, and every boxing media outlet publishes its annual awards. It's our turn, as our three team members share their reflections on an...
McGregor v Farooq: Ringside report
Scottish boxing fans will often reminisce on the big nights in the country over the years and despite some huge nights at the Hydro involving Josh Taylor and Ricky Burns, it’s not often those events that they re-count. Those from the East of Scotland will speak of...
Farooq v McGregor Preview
The boxing world’s attention was on Japan last week as we witnessed Naoya Inoue crowned the best bantamweight in the world. And the division will receive the spotlight once again this weekend as we head to the Emirates arena in Glasgow to clarify the best 118lb...
Reflections on white collar boxing
Motivation We all know it will come one day. It's one of life's cruel certainties, but despite the morbid inevitably, you're never prepared for that phone call. I was sitting in IT training on a bright summer morning, longing for an excuse not to be there. The...
Nathaniel Collins ready for first title shot
Nathaniel Collins (5-0) returns to the Paisley Lagoon Centre on Saturday, exactly a year after making his debut in the same venue. This time for an equally big occasion, as he takes on Monty Ogilvie (9-0) in the headline bout for the Celtic super-featherweight title,...
Liam Conroy: strength and conditioning special
Boxing, like many sports, has evolved massively over the past couple of decades. Although the fundamentals will always remain at the forefront of the game, the introduction of sports science and strength and conditioning has exploded, challenging conventional wisdom...
Match Report: St Andrews SC, 19 September 2019
Last week Scottish boxing fans were treated to the exciting news that the much talked about clash between Scottish bantamweights, Kash Farooq vs Lee McGregor, would be taking place in November for the British and Commonwealth titles. One man that knows the two very...
Domestic clash brewing between Burt and Sutherland
Scottish boxers have become more social media savy in recent years. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are platforms used to sell tickets, display impressive training footage, and entice sponsorship. And we're also seeing a rise in fights being made, sparked by - usually...
Callen McAulay to face former Scottish champ, Laskowski
Callen McAulay returns to the ring on August 17th as part of the Kash Farooq vs Duane Winters card, and will take on former Scottish champion, Marek Laskowski. This will be the Paisley boxer's first fight since his impressive first round stoppage on the MTK show in...
Callen McAulay: hardwork, education
The stresses of being a professional boxer are well documented, from the endless hours of training, strict dieting, ticket sales and weight cuts. If you speak to a university student you will hear a different set of worries about studying, classes, dissertations and...
Christine Morrison – The first Lady of Scottish Boxing?
“I’m not even sure why you want to talk to me, I’ve not got much to say” was her opening line. Christine Morrison then went on to chat for around an hour and a half giving her thoughts on boxing and her life growing up around it alongside her sister and father Alex....
Kamil Sokolowski: Rebel with a cause
All fighters dream of becoming a champion, believing that it takes a mix of ability, hard work and luck. A reasonable assumption on the surface, which drives them to commit the best years of their lives to training, often in gruelling conditions. But experience in the...
Harkin wins Celtic title on successful night at Morrisons Promotions
Martin Harkin won the Celtic welterweight title in devastating fashion on Friday night as he knocked out opponent, Ally Black from Kirkintilloch, in the fourth round. The main event was originally scheduled to be a Celtic and Scottish welterweight title bout between...
Jason Easton: worst year of my life
It would be fair to say that Jason Easton has lived a rollercoaster life over the last 12 months or so. From losing his undefeated record in an attempt to win the vacant Commonwealth title, being convicted of assault and losing his boxing licence alongside splitting...
Opportunities await as Murray outclasses Chuwa for title
Ross Murray's face revealed absolute joy and relief as he was crowned WBC international silver champion in Glasgow. Joy as his hard work was rewarded with victory, a famous shiny green belt and world ranking. And relief as, in many ways, the event was life-or-death....
Craig Dickson: Men Behind the Mitts (part one)
“We’re going to have to revoke your licence and recommend you don’t box again - we’ve found a query in your brain scan". The words no boxer wants to hear on the other end of the phone. Craig Dickson had been preparing to return to the ring in hopes of working towards...
Gary Young: always learning
Gary Young has seen a lot over the years, from being a stand out amateur to moving into the professional game and then working out of the Wild Card Gym in LA only to be told by Freddie Roach he wouldn’t quite make it at the top level. Gary did go on to become a...
Taylor crowned champion in one of Scotland’s finest ever nights
Glasvegas - a blend of Glasgow and Las Vegas - was a popular term last decade, but it never really rang true. It was more of a playful, ironic nod to the differences between the two cities: Glasgow's cultural life burst through from its gritty industrial tradition;...
Lee McGregor: looking for a big year
A tattoo across his right arm shows a picture of a clock, a stark reminder that time can pass you by, particularly in this game. It seemed fitting then that we discussed the last seven months of inactivity from “Lightning” Lee McGregor who admitted he was relieved to...
Sensational Sutherland and Stuart secure titles!
It was a raucous atmosphere at the Doubletree Hilton in Aberdeen for the the Northern Sporting Club show in a joint promotion with Sam Kynoch which had 5 bouts on offer.Topping the bill was Dean Sutherland fighting for his first title, the BUI Celtic strap against...
Farooq retains British title as big fights beckon
British title challenger, Kyle Williams, predicted that maturity would be decisive in his fight with current champion, Glasgow's Kash Farooq. He was correct in that assessment, but - unfortunately for the Wolverhampton man - it was Farooq, the younger fighter by four...
Farooq: “the title comes with responsibility; if you want to keep it you have to sacrifice”
Becoming the champion of Britain - boxing's oldest and one of its most prestigious titles - changes a person. You work tirelessly to achieve your dream; finally, after months of gruelling training, you are in the history books, a victory that no one or thing can...
Corey McCulloch: “going pro has changed my life.”
"I’m a changed man", he smiled; "I’ll even get the coffees!" Corey McCulloch is the latest boxer from Arbroath to turn professional. We met up to discuss his debut on the 4th May at the Northern Sporting Club show in conjunction with Kynoch Promotions at the...
Match Report: Kynoch Boxing, Paisley, 4 April 2019
We've been spoiled as boxing fans in recent years. There's been an abundance of championship fights held in packed arenas broadcasted to our screens most weekends of the year. That is the pinnacle of the sport and every fighter's ultimate dream. But before it can be...
Match report: MTK Global, Emirates Arena, Glasgow, 22 March 2019
For the second week in a row, Scottish boxing fight cards took a beating before the opening bell. After St Andrews Sporting Club suffered a late pull out on Martin Harkin’s headline title bout, this week it was MTK Global's turn. The card was set to be topped by a...
Pullouts & call-offs: most painful fights happen outside the ring
Third time, unlucky! The referee had just raised Martin Harkin’s hand in victory after an impressive stoppage of journeyman, Miguel Aguilar, back in January. An excitable crowd at the Burns Night Extravaganza listened as boxing announcer, Craig Stephen, declared the...
Who is Ivan Baranchyk, The Beast from Belarus?
I’d be lying if I said that I knew much about Josh Taylor’s next opponent, Ivan Baranchyk. And, to be honest, that makes me slightly nervous. There’s a temptation to over-look fighters you’re unfamiliar with. Your expectations are raised, an arrogance develops, and...
Dean Sutherland: modern fighter with old school drive
Participation in boxing was once reserved, almost exclusively, for the poor. Young men brutalised by their environment were saved – and often exploited – by the sport. Gruelling runs in the dead of night, endless sparring with injuries, risking death for meagre pay to...
Lessons from the circus: what Scottish boxing can take from social media
There was deserved ridicule and derision for celebrity boxing matches in 2018. The fight, if it can be described as that, between KSI and Logan Paul, two highly popular Youtube ‘personalities’, was the most notorious. The social media bloggers, who amassed a fortune...
Introducing Martin Harkin
‘Boxing is ingrained in me’ were the words that stood out in my meeting with boxer Martin Harkin. Despite his dad, Robert, having retired from the fight game by the time Martin was born, it’s safe to say he is no doubt the reason for this. Robert Harkin had a...
Enzo Calzaghe: one of a kind
Enzo calzaghe, one of a kind Tribute by Craig Cameron The very sad news was released yesterday that Enzo Calzaghe had passed which has seen tributes flood in from the boxing world for the legendary trainer. The Sardinian born trainer guided his son Joe...
Groves-smith: the super-fight turned after-thought setting a dangerous precedent
Groves-smith: the super-fight turned after-thought setting a dangerous precedent George Groves and Callum Smith’s World Boxing Super Series final should be one of the most celebrated domestic matches of the year. The decade, even, given the right promotion...
Kieran Smith: back to business
Kieran smith: back to business Back in 2016, at the age of 23, Kieran Smith spectacularly knocked out his opponent within 18 seconds of the first round. It was live on Sky Sports on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ victory over Kiryl Relikh. The finish was...
Full event report: mtk global’s night of boxing in glasgow, august 24
Full event report: mtk global’s night of boxing in glasgow, august 24 It was a night of fresh starts in Glasgow as a reformed MTK Global held their first show in the city, in a venue new to boxing, and involving a mix of fighters fresh to the sport, and...
David Brophy: the road to recovery
David brophy: the road to recovery David Brophy has just embarked on his first training camp in over ten months. It can be a daunting time for fighters as they contemplate the weeks of physical and mental pain ahead. But Brophy looks focused as he winds...
Taylor comes of age after gruelling victory over former champion postol
Taylor comes of age after gruelling victory over former champion postol We knew that Josh Taylor was far superior to his domestic rivals. We knew he had the potential to be a future champion. But we didn’t know – and subsequently found out – that he could...
Opinion: in defence of bellew
Opinion: in defence of bellew Tony Bellew is a divisive figure in boxing. That’s probably a polite way of saying lots of people think he’s a prick. The Liverpudlian is brash, self-righteous, hypocritical. He’s been the archetypal loud mouth at times:...
Opinion: haye’s revenge by @craigglovesred
Opinion: haye’s revenge by @craigglovesred It was Saturday 3rd April 2010 and I was travelling down to Manchester to attend my first major boxing event at the M.E.N arena with my brother. David Haye, the fifth British born World Heavyweight Champion was...
Opinion: lomachenko – the greatest in the making? by @craigglovesred
Opinion: lomachenko – the greatest in the making? by @craigglovesred I sat in awe on Saturday night watching Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko showcase his skills against Jorge Linares in one of the best fights I’ve seen in a long time. There’s only some occasions...
On the ropes’ elimination reminds us of what real boxing is: skill, passion and community
On the ropes’ elimination reminds us of what real boxing is: skill, passion and community Two weeks ago Anthony Joshua defeated Joseph Parker in front of 75,000 people in Cardiff’s Principality stadium. Joshua reportedly earned up to £20 million for his...
Taylor continues march towards world title after blitzing campos in three
Taylor continues march towards world title after blitzing campos in three Josh Taylor took a step closer to challenging for a world title after defeating Nicaragua’s Winston Campos in three rounds at Glasgow’s Hydro Arena. The Tartan Tornado imposed from...
Undercard report: entertaining but mixed night for scottish boxing as cyclone return to glasgow
Undercard report: entertaining but mixed night for scottish boxing as cyclone return to glasgow Brave Easton outgunned in battle with Sunderland’s Glenn Foot Jason Easton is seemingly unable to be in a boring fight. The Edinburgh man is as game as they...
Simmons announces retirement plans, but first has history to make
Simmons announces retirement plans, but first has history to make It’s not usually a good idea for competitors to announce their retirement in advance. It can suggest weakness, distract and undermine credibility. Sir Alex Ferguson said he was retiring at...
Truth exposed as groves comprehensively beats eubank jr to progress to world boxing super series final
Truth exposed as groves comprehensively beats eubank jr to progress to world boxing super series final During the build up to his fight with George Groves, Saturday 17 February, Chris Eubank Jr made several comments that came true. He was emphatic that it...
An irrepressible burns fights on, but 2017 showed that scottish boxing no longer relies on one man
An irrepressible burns fights on, but 2017 showed that scottish boxing no longer relies on one man Scottish boxing has been, at least to casual fans, synonymous with Ricky Burns in recent years. The scene has relied heavily on The Rickster’s now infamous...
International praise for josh taylor after seven round destruction of davies
International praise for josh taylor after seven round destruction of davies Josh Taylor put on a stunning performance on Saturday July 8th as he brutally stopped fellow super lightweight Ohara Davies at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena. It was billed as a genuine...
Undercard report: scottish boxing in safe hands as prospects impress at bad blood
Undercard report: scottish boxing in safe hands as prospects impress at bad blood Scottish boxing fans were devastated back in April as Ricky Burns lost his super-lightweight title to Julius Indongo. We were disappointed for Ricky – the country’s most...
Kieran smith defeats bradley pryce as rising scottish stars shine at night of champions
Kieran smith defeats bradley pryce as rising scottish stars shine at night of champions Kieran ‘Chopper’ Smith improved his record to 10-0 after an impressive points victory over Bradley Pryce at Paisley’s Lagoon Centre on Saturday, June 3rd. In an...
Edinburgh rivals tommy philbin and john mccallum to settle differences in the ring.
Edinburgh rivals tommy philbin and john mccallum to settle differences in the ring. In true 21st century style, one of the year’s most anticipated clashes has been arranged via social media. In the age of Twitter, not every fight has to be made with...
Paisley’s craig kelly fights paddy gallagher on burnett-haskins undercard.
Paisley’s craig kelly fights paddy gallagher on burnett-haskins undercard. Good luck to Craig Kelly who takes on Irishman Paddy Gallagher on a massive show in Belfast, Saturday, June 10th. The Paisley man proving once again he will fight anyone, anywhere....
Nelson working with heavyweight prospect martin bakole ilunga
Nelson working with heavyweight prospect martin bakole ilunga Trainer Billy Nelson last week welcomed heavyweight prospect Martin Bakole Ilunga to his growing roster of fighters. And it wasn’t long before he put his new man through his paces at the Airdrie...
Boxing is the reality for tv’s paddy reilly
Boxing is the reality for tv’s paddy reilly We’ve seen reality television stars step into the boxing ring several times in recent years. TOWIE’s Mark Wright and Kirk Norcross slugged it out for charity in 2010, and more recently Lewis Bloor defeated Heavy...
Perth pair ready to build on debut success
Perth pair ready to build on debut success Perth boxers Gary Wilson and Adam Stewart are training hard for their upcoming fights on 10th June at Linwood’s On-X Centre. The pair made impressive starts to their professional boxing careers at the same venue...
Ginnie aiming for more boxing success at hell or high water
Ginnie aiming for more boxing success at hell or high water Not many boxers headline the show on their professional debut. For most, the first encounter in the ring as a pro is a daunting experience where fighters battle their nerves and instincts as much...
Title holders, fifty-fifty clashes and rising stars at limond’s night of champions.
Title holders, fifty-fifty clashes and rising stars at limond’s night of champions Scottish boxing favourite Willie Limond continues his journey in the promotional world with an action-packed line up on Saturday June 3rd at Paisley’s Lagoon Centre. The...
Report: on the ropes bring quality boxing to linwood, paisley. blood, sweat and stoppages.
Report: on the ropes bring quality boxing to linwood, paisley. blood, sweat and stoppages. There’s something beautiful about domestic boxing shows. They have everything: great dust-ups, local rivalries, rowdy crowds and exciting prospects testing their...
Scotland’s david brophy wins commonwealth title after stunning performance in melbourne.
Scotland’s david brophy wins commonwealth title after stunning performance in melbourne. Huge congratulations to Scotland’s David Brophy who travelled over 10,000 miles to rip the Commonwealth title from Australia’s Zac Dunn. Brophy, who was the clear...
Kash Farooq: a reluctant star in the making
Kash farooq: a reluctant star in the making Ukashir Farooq – better known as Kash – is one of Scotland’s most promising and naturally gifted boxers. He’s overwhelmed all of his nine opponents so far with exceptional speed, variety and tenacity. The...
Farooq devastates wilson to win british title in only tenth fight
Farooq devastates wilson to win british title in only tenth fight It was an historic evening in Glasgow (September 27) as two Scotsmen fought for a British title for the first time in a generation. The hosts, St Andrews Sporting Club, are a boxing...
Mcgregor comes of age as bakole breaks down at york hall
Mcgregor comes of age as bakole breaks down at york hall A few eyebrows were raised when Lee McGregor abandoned a flourishing amateur career to turn professional in 2017. Conventional wisdom suggested the young Scot should have stayed in the unpaid ranks...
Taylor cruises past martin to land world title shot
Taylor cruises past martin to land world title shot In the pre-fight documentary to the World Boxing Super Series quarter finals, competitors Josh Taylor and Ryan Martin gave honest accounts of their recent performances. Edinburgh’s Taylor reflected that...