Dream comes true for Lindsay Fulton as Inverness business owner and Highland Boxing Academy fighter wins Scottish Elite Golden Gloves title
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An Inverness business owner and mother-of-four has won the highest amateur boxing title Scotland has to offer.
Lindsay Fulton (35), who runs children's entertainment company FunkyDory Kidz, trains at Highland Boxing Academy and last weekend defeated Fatima Sadiq to win the Boxing Scotland Elite Golden Gloves title.
It is the culmination of years of hard work, and even at the final hurdle there were extra challenges thrown her way as Fulton had to step up a weight division due to a lack of competitors in her own category.
Becoming an elite champion was a goal that Fulton set for herself when first picking up boxing after having her last child, so finally accomplishing it has her on cloud nine.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet, it's just a bit like 'wow, that really happened'," she explained.
"It's such a big thing, this competition is the best of the best so to go on and win is amazing.
"I was nervous, I'm not going to deny that, because it meant so much to me. This title is the pinnacle for any amateur boxer, the highest you can go unless you fight for your country.
"I was sitting in my house after having my last child, and I saw Laura Mackay – one of my coaches – who had won the title.
"I wanted to be her and do that. She inspired me, and I went along and obviously I won the Intermediate title, and now I've won the Open.
"Because I'm so wee anyway, I'm always fighting bigger people in the gym. I did a lot of preparation, and one of my teammates is 75kg, so when it came to the actual day I was well and truly prepared to fight at a higher weight.
"The golden girl – the one who was the best – got knocked out by the girl I faced. She had impressed everyone in the semi final, but I ended up beating her, so it's just a dream come true really."
Balancing work, family and boxing
With so many responsibilities to work, family and sport, it is rare that Fulton has a spare moment to herself.
She would not have it any other way though. It has not always been easy to get the balance right, and make sure she is not overworking herself, but Fulton has shown that she can do it all.
"I can't sit still as it is," Fulton laughed.
"I love my life being fast-paced, but obviously I need to listen to my body too when it's telling me I'm tired and need to rest.
"Rest is important as well. You could train and train, but you don't want to run yourself into the ground. I think about others, then I think about me.
"The weekend prior to my fight, I was a bit done in and I was getting a bit tired and emotional. I was just doing too much, so my coaches told me to go and take a few days off – just chill out, lie down, watch loads of films and wind down.
"I had done everything by that point, I had ticked all the boxes, put all the hours in to sparring and running – I don't think I could have done any more, but you're always trying to push yourself that extra bit.
"Taking a break really helps bring back your energy, and then you're just full of it when it comes to the fight.
"It's not been easy, hand on heart. There are some days I'm absolutely knackered, but I always persevere and I never give up.
"My husband hates that about me, I'm just so stubborn, but I'm doing my kids proud because it shows that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.
"For them to be able to turn around and say their mum did this, that's precious itself. They've seen me at my highs and lows, and last Saturday I had all the nerves so I couldn't really talk.
"My husband was worried about the trip up the road afterwards, but he was so glad I won because it meant I would be talking in the car! It's all good, and everyone is happy, so it's great."
Representing women and the Highlands
While Highland Boxing Academy have had plenty of success at junior and youth levels, Fulton is their first ever senior champion at the Elite Golden Gloves – formerly known as the Scottish Open.
That is a piece of history that nobody will be able to take away from her, even if she tried not to think too much about such high stakes going into her bout last weekend.
After the fact, though, Fulton is hoping that her triumph will help put the club on the boxing map – and also inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
"They mean the world to me, they're my second family," Fulton said of HBA.
"We're all so close, and obviously with the number of years I've been there, life comes with obstacles and trials and tribulations, but they have always been there to believe in me, and they have been there for the good times and the bad times.
"I wasn't allowing the idea of being the first to consume me. I was going in it to win, but I didn't want to put that pressure on myself.
"At the back of my head, I was thinking 'imagine if I was', and I've obviously gone and done it! I can't put it into words. If I could fill a bottle with how I feel and give it to everyone, I would, it's just an amazing feeling.
"In boxing, everything is all about the Central Belt, and we sometimes get forgotten about up here in the Highlands, so hopefully it will bring some limelight to the club, because they deserve it.
"We have some amazing boxers, and I really hope people see me with the belt and the gloves and go on to do the same – if not more.
"I hope I inspire some more women and girls to come and try it out and do the same, because it's so rewarding.
"Just prior to my fight, there were men saying women shouldn't be boxing, they shouldn't be put on telly. Would they get in a ring? Some of these women are really talented, and some of them are more talented than men.
"That's the case with all sports, not just boxing. You see those sorts of comments all the time on boxing posts, but I beg to differ.
"Some women are even more talented than men in some sports, so it doesn't matter what sex you are. Anyone is capable of doing anything at any level, it's all to do with your mindset and hard work no matter who you are."
What's next?
Having achieved what she set out to achieve from day one, Fulton could potentially face something of a crossroads as to where she goes next in boxing.
That, though, is a discussion for another day – although it will not be long before she is back in the gym training at full pelt.
"I actually don't know what's next at this moment in time, I'm just enjoying the moment and the win and everything that comes with it," Fulton added.
"It's so nice. I'm just so happy, it's great.
"Anyone would love to fight for their country. That would be great, but my goal was to win this title so anything I do now is just a bonus.
"Getting to take home a belt is just awesome – and it actually weighs quite a bit! I'll need to get a big display for the belt on my wall.
"I will probably take things easy this week, and then start training again from next week because we've got our home show coming up at the end of May, so I need to keep on top of everything."
