Mcintyre offers Young shot at Celtic welter belt

[Gazmac81]

From todays Daily record

Apr 9 2011 Chris Roberts

KEVIN McINTYRE last night offered Gary Young a shot at his Celtic crown - after reading about the Scottish Champion's demise in Record Sport.

The Paisley postman - a former British champion - could barely believe that Young had fallen so far off the radar his ring rivals thought he had retired.

But after Record Sport laid the 27-year-old's story bare on Friday, McIntyre phoned to offer Young a crack at his belt to prove who is the top Scottish welterweight.

He said: "It'd be a great fight if Gary fancies it.

"He was saying he wants to make an impact again so this makes sense.

"He wants to be British champion and I want to be British champ again. I've had a taste of it before and I want to get it back.

"My Celtic belt is there and I am willing to give Gary the chance. I can imagine the winner will get a British title shot so it would be a great fight."

The 32-year-old hasn't been between the ropes since beating Stephen Haughian on points in Northern Ireland in June to land the Celtic belt.

And he is so frustrated at a lack of fights he'd even travel to the capital to take on Young.

McIntyre said: "My last fight was great in Belfast.

"I went over there and beat him for the Celtic title. I was meant to fight for a European Union title in January but I broke my hand sparring so I had to pull out of that one.

"I was hoping to get it rescheduled but nothing happened and I've not been in the ring this year.

"I couldn't care less where the fight is. I fought in Belfast. A lot of people thought I'd have to knock him out but I won the fight outright and boxed better than I have ever done."

McIntyre has urged Young to take up his offer as he looks to work his way back into contention for a British title shot.

He said: "I want to be the No.1 in Britain. If Gary Young is looking to go up in level he should try to prove he is the best in Scotland before trying to be the best in Britain.

"As far as I'm concerned I am still the No.1 in Scotland. He's Scottish champion and I am the Celtic champion.

"My main ambition is to follow the British and Commonwealth route.

"I still believe I have got the ability to do it. Folk ask about me getting on a bit now but I'm boxing better than ever and my last fight was probably my finest display of my career.

"I'm in great shape just now. I'm 32 but I still feel good. You can't buy the experience. Getting the opportunity to get back up there is the hard part.

"But this fight would be good for me and Gary.

"If he wants to get to the top of the sport then he has to get past me first."

McIntyre revealed he had been hoping for a fight against British champion Craig Watson - the man who thought Young had hung up his gloves.

He said: "I thought I'd get a fight with Watson next week but he's ended up fighting somebody in his own camp."

[DougieC30]

Good fight. Fair play to Kevin to offer Young a shot.2 Akward southpaws. who will take the centre of the ring. Who wins?

[south west slugger]

mcintyre by stoppage

[petr]

ive never seen young in action. saw mcintyre a good few times and hes a very capable fighter. fought two clever fights with kevin anderson. i thought he romped the first one but the second was closer. good luck to him.

[bluenoseshf]

Hope this fight comes off as scottish boxing could do with more fights such as this. There are lots of Scottish Fighters who are not with a big promoter and are very inactive so fighting each other makes sense. Young is one of a crop of decent fighters who may not be british title level but still decent enough to not be a journeyman. Other fighters such as Gary Mcmillian, Stuart Green, Stevie McGuire, Gary McArthur and Kenny Anderson and loads more all need to become more active and fights between them would be competitive and draw a decent local crowd.

oh and McIntyre on points

[billy nelson]

Hope this fight comes off as scottish boxing could do with more fights such as this. There are lots of Scottish Fighters who are not with a big promoter and are very inactive so fighting each other makes sense. Young is one of a crop of decent fighters who may not be british title level but still decent enough to not be a journeyman. Other fighters such as Gary Mcmillian, Stuart Green, Stevie McGuire, Gary McArthur and Kenny Anderson and loads more all need to become more active and fights between them would be competitive and draw a decent local crowd.

oh and McIntyre on points

Ive trained both guys at the same time and feel the Mc Intyre has the beating of Gary by stoppage. Very awkward style Mac has and hes a southpaw which doesnt help Gary

[Gazmac81]

Lets hope a promoter gets in talk with the fighters and they get it on