Future of Scottish Boxing?

[David McAllister]

This thread might only interest those in Scotland but if you have seen any of the boxers and have any input I'd like to hear it from a non biased view.

It's no big secret that Ricky Burns is streets ahead of anyone else in Scottish boxing in regards to him being a proven World Class fighter and then there is John Simpson who is above domestic level, but I just want to see who can be the next crop of fighters to push through to domestic level and above.

I will have a go at the ones I know from each area and I will give my opinion on them (For what that's worth).

Inverness:
Gary Cornish, Gary gets a lot of stick but he had a very limited amateur career and he is young enough to learn the game slowly and has all the attributes to win a British Title.

Aberdeen:
Darren Traynor, Darren was a very good amateur and boxed all over the world, he is fast and hits hard I would like to think he could challenge for a British title and win it. Maybe I'm biased though!!

Matty McAllister, My brother so I would rather hear from other people about the levels they think he can reach.

Dundee:
Ronnie Clark, seen a bit of Ronnie at our gym and he really has impressed me coming from a kickboxing background. He has already boxed some decent unbeaten fighters and got draws. I see Ronnie challenging for the British title and having a decent chance of winning it

Jamie Wilson, If he keeps winning I can see him getting a shot at the British title just because there isn't that many Super Flyweights around. Haven't seen enough of him to judge him though

Edinburgh:
Stevie Simmons, Stevie could be the next challenger we have for the British title. he has all the amateur experience as well as a good win last time out, that makes me think he can win the British and head straight on up to Euro level.

John Thain, John has every attribute except a KO punch, he trains as hard as anyone and is always keen to learn. I would like to think he could win a British title.

Glasgow
Iain Butcher, Iain showed last time against Satchell that it is more of when Wee Butcher will be British champion and if he can hold his weight for a while he could be challenging for the Euro title too.

Jon Slowey, I've watched Jon for a long time amateur and pro and he is like John Thain, he has everything except a KO punch, but he has always worked hard on the technical side of his boxing and I can see him challenging and even winning the British Title at either Super Bantam or Featherweight.

Michael Roberts, I've also seen Mick Roberts jnr box from amateur right through to the pro ranks, Mick has great technical ability and he could challenge for the British Title.

David Brophy, I haven't personally seen that much of him but Billy Nelson rates him highly and he is usually a good judge on a fighter. From what I have seen he looks a solid pro if not spectacular but under the right management could definitely challenge at domestic level.(Maybe Billy can see him going further and would like to hear his thoughts on his fighter)

Rhys Pagan, Rhys is a really strong determined young fighter who I have seen box a lot amateur and imo he could challenge for domestic honors.

I have tried to keep my list to upcoming fighters but if you wanted to add more well known fighters who you believe can come again I'd like to hear your thoughts and I know there are lots more young talented boxers from Scotland out there but these are the ones that I know most about and have seen the most of but I would like to hear opinions on other boxers I have either missed or don't know so much about.

I look forward to hearing your replies

[Adamj1987]

Gary Cornish looks like he has potential and needs to stay on the level he is on and get rounds not be moved faster than he is as you pointed out he has limited amateur experience.

I think Lee McAllister if he can drag himself back down to lightweight could possibly get the eurobelt and would deffinatly be a contender on the domestic scene even though it is stacked right now so maybe there are more options for him at light welter

[David McAllister]

Gary Cornish looks like he has potential and needs to stay on the level he is on and get rounds not be moved faster than he is as you pointed out he has limited amateur experience.

I think Lee McAllister if he can drag himself back down to lightweight could possibly get the eurobelt and would deffinatly be a contender on the domestic scene even though it is stacked right now so maybe there are more options for him at light welter

Lee could no longer make Lightweight safely mate

[geoffburt07]

Cornish doesn't do it for me. Hasn't really boxed alot if guys who are a) over 6f and in shape or b) someone actually having a go. He has done everything he's needed to do and with good management he could get himself in with a British title shot. Haven't been too impressed with him when I have saw him but am sure he's improving in every thing. Will he be our next star? No.

Jon Slowey is a lovely boxer who loves to counter punch. He loves when guys come out swinging as he uses his southpaw stance and counter shots perfectly. Really impressed by Jon. But, the lack the power may be jons downfall. He will struggle to keep guys off him at Championship level. The fact he's went the distance in every fight shows his fitness is good. Our next star? Al tell you in 12 months.

Ronnie Clark is a hard hitting southpaw who is not scared go put his unbeaten record on the line. He is a very good body puncher and is a very fit lad. He starts every fight fast as his early stoppages will show. I underated his boxing skills when I first saw him, I thought he was just a big punching lad but he's impressed me. Massive for super feather. Next star? Good possibility.

Jamie Wilson is an exciting Bantam who likes a war. His last fight was one of the small hall fights of the year. He doesn't carry alot of dig but has already proved he can take a punch. He has a chance to do well because the lack off conpitition but defo not our next star.

David Brophy is a nice boxer who boxed well last time out against Jason Ball. Brophy has a solid jab and nice feetwork but showed against Boylden he can get dragged into a war which takes his jab away from him. I ain't too sure on his punching power but am sure that will come as opponents get better. Next star? Needs a bigger fight before I can judge.

John Thain is a lovely boxer with one if the best jabs av saw in a while. Everything comes off his long jab that then sets up nice combinations. He is very tall for the weight and uses it very well. The lack off power again may be a key over longer fights but what I have saw I have been impressed. Next star? Maybe.

Darren Traynor is a talent. Hits very hard with both hands and sets up his back hand very well. He's got alot of amature experience. Which will into play at the pro ranks. Haven't really saw him tested so hard to say how good he is but been impressed soo far.

[JimStone]

Why not offer Cornish up to Haye for sparring? He'd come on in leaps and bounds in that camp. Assuming Haye builds a similar crew this time around, he could get work in with the likes of Haye (obviously) Wilder, Towers, Hrgovic, etc...

[daviddee]

That's a excellent list mate very well thought out. Here's my opinion on out scene.

Inverness

Gary Cornish - he is definately improving. Does he have the skills to win British Title probably not at this minute in time but he is improving fast and at heavyweight you never know

Aberdeen

Darren Traynor - I'm very impressed seen him fight and spar Ronnie a few times. With the right discipline he will win the British title at featherweight.

Mathew Mcallister - seen highlights of one of his fights was impressed looked to be very skill full and the power to match not seen enough to say how far he can go.

Lee Mccallister - My honest opinion is Lee has done brilliant out of boxing. He gets a lot of stick at times but he has done very well and I'm sure he would still compete well at British/ European level would pick him to beat Limond.

Dundee

Ronnie Clark - He is my brother but I'm also one of his harshest critics at time and he is even more harsh on himself. With the right timing and right fights Ronnie will get to at least Euro level. Has good power and a good chin

Jamie Wilson - Agree with David

Davie Drunmond - He hits very hard could be British champion age may be a factor

Mike Towell - I hear good things from the guys in Dundee but not seen him fight.

Edinburgh

John Thain - lack of power may be his down fall I hope not. One of the guys I like to watch box has a good personality

Craig Mcewan - Full of talent. He needs a break and a chance to fight the best guys I hope it happens

Steve Simmonds - Very impressed against Graf. Would he beat Dickinson and Camacho I don't know

Paul Appleby - if he can get his weight and training sorted he has the talent to get in amongst titles again

Glasgow

Ian Butcher - hard defeat to take. I had him winning I hope he can put that behind him and come back stronger. Could be a match up down the line for him v Jamie Wilson would be a cracker

Jon Slowey - Same as John Thain would love to see Slowey v Trayner as a neutral but for a British title

Michael Robert Jnr - not been impressed At all. He seems to lack snap in his punches and is easily hit. When he moves up in level he may get exposed. These things might improve with experience. He will probably fight for a title but I feel he will lose

David Brophy - not been impressed in his first few fights. But Billy is a excellent trainer I'm sure if he feels he can go far he will.. He keeps winning and that's all he needs to do

Dave Savage Jnr - he doesn't get mentioned much he is very good and when Selby moved on I'm sure we will see him fight for the British title

Ryan Collins - Another one flying under the radar. From what I see of him he works very hard and is willing to travel to spar with anyone. I think we will see big steps in 2014 from Collins. Problem is he is in a hard division

All in all I think Scottish boxing is very healthy a lot of pros coming through all it takes is for one to get the right chances at the right time and we have another World Champion. A couple of they lads have the attributes it's down to them

[eddiebutcher]

A lot of great talent in Scotland we don't get much tv exposure it's hard for these guys to showcase there talents and on top of that promotors dont always work with each other to make good learning fights but out of the names listed above am sure we will have champions at both Brittish and European level and with hard work and the right fights maybe world honours for some as well hopefully.

[Emmseegee]

I think there is definitely a few names amongst that lot who will at least challenge for a british title at some point.

Id like to see more small shows featuring these kind of names but sadly its not that easy. Sky's friday fight nights were great at the time. Thats when i was enjoying boxing most in the uk. Getting to see some good domestic scraps, not every bill needs a world title on it but sadly thats the way sky tv has went and only a couple of fights are being shown on the undercard.

[ThereByTheGrace]

Iain Butcher, with a decent promoter (Matchroom or bunny) will go very very far indeed.

The rest are a bit hit and miss.

[DougieCampbell]

Been lucky enough to referee some of the guys mentioned. Scottish boxing is doing well.

[expe]

Some good fighters there, but I don't see any that could win a world title and I don't think many will come close to winning a European title.

[Alba]

I think there is definitely a few names amongst that lot who will at least challenge for a british title at some point.

Id like to see more small shows featuring these kind of names but sadly its not that easy. Sky's friday fight nights were great at the time. Thats when i was enjoying boxing most in the uk. Getting to see some good domestic scraps, not every bill needs a world title on it but sadly thats the way sky tv has went and only a couple of fights are being shown on the undercard.

I agree to an extent, however i think in fairness to sky, they have upped the ante by showing the figths on the red button.

[daviddee]

Some good fighters there, but I don't see any that could win a world title and I don't think many will come close to winning a European title.

I don't think many people gave Ricky any chance of getting to European And World level and he did. There is a couple in there that might surprise a few people. Same with Ricky you need a bit of luck and being in the right place at the right time. Only time will tell

[expe]

I think there is definitely a few names amongst that lot who will at least challenge for a british title at some point.

Id like to see more small shows featuring these kind of names but sadly its not that easy. Sky's friday fight nights were great at the time. Thats when i was enjoying boxing most in the uk. Getting to see some good domestic scraps, not every bill needs a world title on it but sadly thats the way sky tv has went and only a couple of fights are being shown on the undercard.

People complained about the leisure centre shows, but now there all for putting small hall shows on TV. Were in a situation where in some cases, British and Commonwealth title fights in this country aren't being televised, whether live or on tape delay. The more televised shows, no matter what the quality, the better.

[JimStone]

The more televised shows, no matter what the quality, the better.

You think? I'm not convinced.

Some small hall shows are to boxing what school sportsdays are to athletics, only less competitive. You turn up and get immense pleasure watching your kid run, even if he's crap, and don't begrudge throwing a few quid into whatever fund the school is collecting for. You go away happy, and will go again next year, even though you clearly couldn't give a hoot about any of the other kids running - unless you're friends with their parents, and then you pretend to give a hoot even though you really don't.

[billy nelson]

Some good fighters there, but I don't see any that could win a world title and I don't think many will come close to winning a European title.

I don't think many people gave Ricky any chance of getting to European And World level and he did. There is a couple in there that might surprise a few people. Same with Ricky you need a bit of luck and being in the right place at the right time. Only time will tell

And have a good coach

[Adamj1987]

Gary Cornish looks like he has potential and needs to stay on the level he is on and get rounds not be moved faster than he is as you pointed out he has limited amateur experience.

I think Lee McAllister if he can drag himself back down to lightweight could possibly get the eurobelt and would deffinatly be a contender on the domestic scene even though it is stacked right now so maybe there are more options for him at light welter

Lee could no longer make Lightweight safely mate

I didnt know if it was that or he was just given options at light welter

[billy nelson]

at present I'd say the only boxer in Scotland capable of going beyond domestic level is Simmons, some may fight for the British and Commonwealth title some may win some will lose

[billy nelson]

I would think if Willie Limmond fights for the Euro title he'll vacate for Lee to box someone or if Willie doesn't get the Euro shothe'll box Lee

[JimStone]

I'm always surprised there aren't a few more decent Wegie pros than there are. Some of the hardest guys I know (mentally and physically) are from in and around Glasgow.

[forcefraser]

I'm always surprised there aren't a few more decent Wegie pros than there are. Some of the hardest guys I know (mentally and physically) are from in and around Glasgow.

Maybe they act hard in the street, but if they stepped into the ring they'd be butter inside. The ring is a great leveller.

[JimStone]

I'm always surprised there aren't a few more decent Wegie pros than there are. Some of the hardest guys I know (mentally and physically) are from in and around Glasgow.

Maybe they act hard in the street, but if they stepped into the ring they'd be butter inside. The ring is a great leveller.

It is but the lads I'm on about are legit.

[expe]

at present I'd say the only boxer in Scotland capable of going beyond domestic level is Simmons, some may fight for the British and Commonwealth title some may win some will lose

I think Butcher could win the European, flyweight's not the strongest division domestically or on the continent, but they're the only two that have shown that they may belong at European level.

[WelshJack]

What about Scotty Cardle? He may be boring as hell but how far do you think he can go?

[matko]

What happened to Daryll Campbell ? He was 2 win 2 KO?