Well done John McDermott

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 12 Jun 2004, 06:51

Recognition for one of Scotlands best boxing servants..

McDermott joins boxing MBEs

Trainer John McDermott feels humble at joining the list of Scottish boxing greats to have received an MBE.

The 65-year-old won Commonwealth gold for his country as a featherweight in 1962 before guiding Pat Clinton to a world title in his coaching career.

"It is a great honour to get the MBE after Dick McTaggart, Walter McGowan, Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt," he said.

"I am really over the moon about this. They are four real friends and it is great to follow them with an Honour."

McDermott's current protégé is Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Craig Docherty.

"They got their MBEs for winning world championships, while I got it for services to boxing in Scotland," the Lanarkshire man said about appearing in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

"My gold medal was my highlight as a boxer and training Pat Clinton to the world title in 1992. They were tremendous nights."

McDermott dedicated his MBE to long-time friend and mentor Charlie Hill, who took the youngster under his wing at the age of 10.

"I come from a boxing family and the greatest influence on my career was Charlie Hill, who lived nearby in Cambuslang," he said.

"He was training me when I won the gold medal. I idolised Charlie, who won a British title and a Lonsdale belt during his career.

"If he had told me to dive off the roof, I would have done so.

"He is in Australia now and I think he will be pleased. It is very humbling when guys like that don't get anything and I do."

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 12 Jun 2004, 07:51

It's great that true boxing men are being honoured like this. McDermott is a great trainer.

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 12 Jun 2004, 08:11

bennie wrote:It's great that true boxing men are being honoured like this. McDermott is a great trainer.

Sad thing is bennie that Radio Scotland, our apparent national broadcaster, didnt even mention this in their sports bulletins. they did however mention Trevor Brooking and Mark Hughes. Likewise on the website of "scotlands biggest selling newspaper" the daily record theres no mention, where as the Scotsman "scotlands national newspaper" grqaciously gives it five lines listing it after stories about awards to a lillopop lady, a potato breeder and a woman who runs a tea room in Glasgow.

Fuckin scandelous

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 12 Jun 2004, 08:18

Has BN mentioned it?

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 12 Jun 2004, 10:26

Jawaid Khalliq got an MBE aswell i think

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 12 Jun 2004, 10:30

adamiw wrote:Jawaid Khalliq got an MBE aswell i think

Jawaid Khaliq!!

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 12 Jun 2004, 11:01

adamiw wrote:Jawaid Khalliq got an MBE aswell i think

No, it's IBO.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Jun 2004, 11:16

Yeah, Jawid Khaliq got honoured for services to boxing, I was suprised by this. I didn't think Calzaghe warranted an honour, but he does if they going to honour Khaliq.

No disrespect to him, good fighter, but what has he done.

hamran · Post by **hamran** » 12 Jun 2004, 17:11

Hi Boxing Fans..True Calzaghe has done a lot for the sport, cant take anything away from that!, but you also have to appreciate what Khaliq has done, with so LITTLE support from boxing.. always being the underdog.. taking late notice fights!.. how hes got to where he has in so little time is some achievement, hes come through a lot. He does'nt get anyway near the publicity he should, so this is boxings way of giving him something back.
PS- and Yes i am a fan of Jav"! ;)

Well done John McDermott

Well done John McDermott

Khaliq MBE