Hat-trick of victories for Highland Boxing Academy teenagers at Alloa
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Highland Boxing Academy's athletes won three bouts out of three in Alloa last weekend.
A delayed journey down the A9 gave Maria Cameron (13) limited time to prepare for her show-opening bout against the host club's Eve Hynd, but it did not affect Cameron in the ring as she showed her tactical and technical aptitude to manoeuvre her opponent around the ring and land multiple shots early on.
The second round of the 44kg schoolgirl contest was more back-and-forth, but Cameron seized control in the third and final round, dictating the pace to earn a split decision victory at the Alloa Town Hall.
Robert Stewart (15) was more comfortable in his club debut, showing lots of aggression to win by unanimous decision over Hawick Boxing Club's Liam Rutherford.
Finally, Aidan McKinlay (17) beat Alloa's Jack Allan in another close bout. The two boxers appeared fairly evenly matched early on, but McKinlay had the upper hand late on – unleashing a late barrage of head and body combinations to earn a split decision win.
Overall then, it was another successful showcase for the Inverness club, shortly after winning three titles at the Scottish Development Championships.
"Last season Maria won the award for most improved boxer at the club, so she's hard working and this was a good moment for her to shine," head coach Liam Foy reflected.
"She did remarkably well to go away from home to such a packed out venue. It's a loud, intimidating environment for anyone to box in, so for Maria to go and win there was pretty impressive.
"It was Robert's first fight for the club, so he clearly just wanted to go and start strongly. To box away from home and come away with a dominant unanimous win bodes well for his future
"It was his hunger and appetite that was notable in those three rounds. He really wanted to put on a performance, so I'm delighted for him.
"Aidan was coming back from the Development Championships, where he lost on a split decision, so it was important for him to get back in the ring as soon as possible and rectify that by getting back to winning ways.
"Some people said to me that it was a big thing to win three away from home, but that's something we've consistently done since the first show we ever attended in Castlemilk in Glasgow.
"It doesn't happen all the time, but it has happened quite a few times, and we've got a really busy stable of boxers who are all hungry and have the right mentality. That's really what we instil in our boxers, having that visible desire to compete every time they step into a ring – and with that comes success."
Next up for Highland Boxing Academy will be a chance to showcase their boxers and many more at the British Legion on Saturday, December 9 on the club’s home show.
