Boxing: James gains revenge

Oct 5 2011 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

BOXERS from the 1314 ABC got their season off to fantastic start on Sunday, hosting their first promotion at Fallin Miners Welfare.

Guests included amateur boxing guru Jack Dormer and former professional British, European and Commonwealth Champion Barry Morrison.

First up for 1314 were 12-year-old twins Jack and Jamie McDonald. who boxed Kilsyth's Shaun Carroll and East Lothian's Matthew Cunningham respectively. Jack had a points victory but Jamie was edged out.

Ben Holwell made his debut at middleweight against East Lothian's Lee Renton and his fitness and vicious body shots earned him a unanimous victory.

Light heavyweight Kerr Edmiston had a tough assignment against East Lothian's Iain Trotter.

Kerr found it difficult to land his big shots and Iain was awarded a spilt decision.

Welterweight Stevie O'Neil was matched against the bigger and stronger David Gauld from Dumfries. David caught Stevie with a crunching right hand early on but the local fighter was undeterred. Midway through a cracking first round he threw a thunderous left hook which forced the referee to step in and issue a standing count.

The second round was a repeat of the first, with the referee administering a further standing count. When Stevie landed another one of his trademark left hooks at the start of the third the referee stopped the contest.

Light-heavyweight prospect Jamie Williams defeated the Granite City's Emmanuel Ahonsie on points while welterweight George Thomson was unlucky to lose on points to Western District champion Stewart Burt from Renfrewshire.

George was awarded the best home boxer award.

The 1314's former British youth champion James Spence took on another current Western District champ, Greenock's Don Brown, and was also edged out on a split decision.

Light-welterweight James Thomson topped the bill against the Granite City's Scottish internationalist Aaron Medder, who beat him earlier in his career.

JT showed a steely determination and explosive combinations that Aaron could not match. After four brilliant rounds JT was awarded victory and the judges agreed he had won every round.

The club are sending James Thomson, George Thomson, James Spence and Jamie Williams to Aberdeen next Friday night.

1314 thanked everyone who supported the promotion, particularly sponsors FES Ltd and Tom Cox, and club secretary Marion Docherty for organising the event.

Anyone interested in joining or attending training can contact Barry McFadden on 07500 926792.