Any thoughts on this?

[dalcumly]

The recent edition of Boxing Monthly ranks 142 boxers in the 15 weights divisions in British boxing. Only 6 are rated at flyweight and super flyweight. Only 4 are Scottish. Even Northern Ireland and Wales have double that figure, and if both populations are combined amount to half of Scotland. If the active numbers of pro boxers in both those countries are added together they have only a few more than Scotland. Scotland have no boxers going to the Olympics. Pretty sad state of affairs!
This is what happens, professionally, when you match Scottish boxers with losing journeymen and simply refuse to step them up, or take them out with Scotland for matches, until they face far more experienced fighters in eliminators or title challenges. Cornish, Carslaw , Traynor etc.
Yes, have new pros fight winnable fights for a year, but thereafter the quality of opposition must be improved, and that shouldn't mean fighting Latvian road sweepers. Scottish boxing is approaching embarrassing levels, much like our football teams, who've lost in recent weeks to teams from Gibralter, Luxembourg and Malta.In the boxing world we can't improve until we face better opposition on a regular basis.If this proves that some boxers are not good enough - that's OK they can go back to fighting Latvians. But if we are going to have future British champions, something has to change.I blame Nicola Sturgeon myself!!

[freddydoesdallas]

Seriously, just 6 out of the top 145 British fighters are Scottish? I'd have expected it to be a lot higher, maybe 30 or so more but not based on anything other than an historic assumption.

That really is bad, especially with no Scots boxing at the Olympics. Is there anything in place to try and reverse the trend? It's not as if Scotland has a lack of angry young men

[jamesmcdonnell]

I hear they're making glue sniffing an Olympic sport, which should definitely help.

[Stuarty]

I hear they're making glue sniffing an Olympic sport, which should definitely help.

I prefer knicker sniffing myself

[Stuarty]

the promoters up here lacked ambition. I know there's some new guys on the scene now and hopefully they can get better contests for their guys and look after them in the correct way. Obviously there has to be a willingness from the fighters as well. Tommy Gilmour was part of the problem for years. My best mate signed with him after Barry Hughes went tits up and he basically just tried to use him as a pawn. He had no interest in his development as a boxer at all, only what he could get out him and use him for. A few times he tried to use him as fodder at short notice then blanked him like a stubborn menopausal woman when he politely declined. He lost his love for the sport because of him and I'm guessing there's hundreds more stories like his. I've always said the talent that must slip through the net and go unnoticed up here must be shameful. We probably don't know the half of it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I hear they're making glue sniffing an Olympic sport, which should definitely help.

I prefer knicker sniffing myself

Each to their own, in my own experience it's far cheaper to acquire a tube of bostik than to prise a bird's knickers off her - unless she's unconscious and gaffer taped up of course.

[Stuarty]

I hear they're making glue sniffing an Olympic sport, which should definitely help.

I prefer knicker sniffing myself

Each to their own, in my own experience it's far cheaper to acquire a tube of bostik than to prise a bird's knickers off her - unless she's unconscious and gaffer taped up of course.

I've never done the old glue sniffing. When I was younger a lassie that used to kick about with us died from sniffing lighter fuel. Beautiful looking girl as well! Model material! Her brother got stabbed and murdered like a few months later as well.

Sorry for lowering the tone like. That just popped into my head. I'm think-typing!

[jamesmcdonnell]

I prefer knicker sniffing myself

Each to their own, in my own experience it's far cheaper to acquire a tube of bostik than to prise a bird's knickers off her - unless she's unconscious and gaffer taped up of course.

I've never done the old glue sniffing. When I was younger a lassie that used to kick about with us died from sniffing lighter fuel. Beautiful looking girl as well! Model material! Her brother got stabbed and murdered like a few months later as well.

Sorry for lowering the tone like. That just popped into my head. I'm think-typing!

Me either as it happens, just arsing around, there was a kid in my block of flats growing up (in supposedly posh Fulham!) who was addicted to Butane gas, used to get through hundreds of the bastards, which were to be found rolling about in the back yard behind the block - they certainly didn't do much for his complexion, and less for his personality. That was as close as I came to abusing propellants or adhesives, other than making Christmas cards as a kid.

[Stuarty]

Each to their own, in my own experience it's far cheaper to acquire a tube of bostik than to prise a bird's knickers off her - unless she's unconscious and gaffer taped up of course.

I've never done the old glue sniffing. When I was younger a lassie that used to kick about with us died from sniffing lighter fuel. Beautiful looking girl as well! Model material! Her brother got stabbed and murdered like a few months later as well.

Sorry for lowering the tone like. That just popped into my head. I'm think-typing!

Me either as it happens, just arsing around, there was a kid in my block of flats growing up (in supposedly posh Fulham!) who was addicted to Butane gas, used to get through hundreds of the bastards, which were to be found rolling about in the back yard behind the block - they certainly didn't do much for his complexion, and less for his personality. That was as close as I came to abusing propellants or adhesives, other than making Christmas cards as a kid.

I was at a music festival years ago and poppers were getting passed around like it was a normal thing to do! I had to double check I hadn't accidently entered a toe touching tent! Paul Van Dyk was on at the time.

[dalcumly]

Managers get a lot of stick , some of it justified, but many, many pro boxers don't live the life. They don't train full time until there's a fight arranged, others continually refuse to fight for all sorts of reasons. In my opinion if you decide to be a pro boxer then you have to train at least four times a week, and when you're offered a fight you take it. If you don't want to commit, then enter the unlicensed circuit. Being a pro boxer is a 'lifestyle ' not a hobbie.a big problem is when you're training regularly and no fights are on the horizon. Be prepared to travel, and occasionally be on the end of a hometown decision. If you're good enough you'll come good.
There's good boxers in Scotland who'll never get the chance to prove it.

[Stuarty]

Managers get a lot of stick , some of it justified, but many, many pro boxers don't live the life. They don't train full time until there's a fight arranged, others continually refuse to fight for all sorts of reasons. In my opinion if you decide to be a pro boxer then you have to train at least four times a week, and when you're offered a fight you take it. If you don't want to commit, then enter the unlicensed circuit. Being a pro boxer is a 'lifestyle ' not a hobbie.a big problem is when you're training regularly and no fights are on the horizon. Be prepared to travel, and occasionally be on the end of a hometown decision. If you're good enough you'll come good.
There's good boxers in Scotland who'll never get the chance to prove it.

My mate who I mentioned above trained twice a day everyday without fail. Always ate right and never touched the drink (still doesn't). He was a top amatuer and he just got pissed about. I know of a few more who were treated in the same way.

I know what you mean though about a lot of guys not living the life. Most young guys just want to go out and have a drink and chase woman rather than bust their arse in training. It's the same with young footballers as well. I played alongside and against some crazy talented guys who just fukked it up for themselves.

[BrackaBarclay]

At the risk of getting hammered, Scottish people are not the most athletic folk, drink methadone instead of breast milk as as babies, start drinking buckfast at the age of 4, get brought up eating fried mars bars and have usually had at least a couple of 5 year stretches by the time they're 17.... So not really the perfect environment to build a world class athlete....

On a serious note, was Gary Cornish the highest rated?

[Stuarty]

At the risk of getting hammered, Scottish people are not the most athletic folk, drink methadone instead of breast milk as as babies, start drinking buckfast at the age of 4, get brought up eating fried mars bars and have usually had at least a couple of 5 year stretches by the time they're 17.... So not really the perfect environment to build a world class athlete....

On a serious note, was Gary Cornish the highest rated?

Do you practice at being a fanny or is it natural?

[BrackaBarclay]

At the risk of getting hammered, Scottish people are not the most athletic folk, drink methadone instead of breast milk as as babies, start drinking buckfast at the age of 4, get brought up eating fried mars bars and have usually had at least a couple of 5 year stretches by the time they're 17.... So not really the perfect environment to build a world class athlete....

On a serious note, was Gary Cornish the highest rated?

Do you practice at being a fanny or is it natural?

Come on mate, I'm clearly p1ssing about.

But I'm also genuinely interested in who was the best rated scots fighter

[Stuarty]

At the risk of getting hammered, Scottish people are not the most athletic folk, drink methadone instead of breast milk as as babies, start drinking buckfast at the age of 4, get brought up eating fried mars bars and have usually had at least a couple of 5 year stretches by the time they're 17.... So not really the perfect environment to build a world class athlete....

On a serious note, was Gary Cornish the highest rated?

Do you practice at being a fanny or is it natural?

Come on mate, I'm clearly p1ssing about.

But I'm also genuinely interested in who was the best rated scots fighter

Sorry. I was a crack baby so you struck a chord there. Also had a whore of a day. The shop was out of Bucky. I'm heading home for a spot of wife beating

Ricky Burns must be the highest rated I'd imagine?

[Stuarty]

At the risk of getting hammered, Scottish people are not the most athletic folk, drink methadone instead of breast milk as as babies, start drinking buckfast at the age of 4, get brought up eating fried mars bars and have usually had at least a couple of 5 year stretches by the time they're 17.... So not really the perfect environment to build a world class athlete....

On a serious note, was Gary Cornish the highest rated?

Do you practice at being a fanny or is it natural?

Come on mate, I'm clearly p1ssing about.

But I'm also genuinely interested in who was the best rated scots fighter

I also think Josh Taylor will go far and probably challenge for a world title. But we do have a serious lack of talent up here!

[BrackaBarclay]

Do you practice at being a fanny or is it natural?

Come on mate, I'm clearly p1ssing about.

But I'm also genuinely interested in who was the best rated scots fighter

Sorry. I was a crack baby so you struck a chord there. Also had a whore of a day. The shop was out of Bucky. I'm heading home for a spot of wife beating

Ricky Burns must be the highest rated I'd imagine?

Ah! Of course.... Ricky is a good boxer and gutsy.

[Stuarty]

Come on mate, I'm clearly p1ssing about.

But I'm also genuinely interested in who was the best rated scots fighter

Sorry. I was a crack baby so you struck a chord there. Also had a whore of a day. The shop was out of Bucky. I'm heading home for a spot of wife beating

Ricky Burns must be the highest rated I'd imagine?

Ah! Of course.... Ricky is a good boxer and gutsy.

It's a sad day when Gary Cornish is being mentioned

[dalcumly]

Ricky burns is highest rated. The others are Cornish, Simmons and Jamie Wison at super fly.
A quick glimpse into the past reveals that in one week in 1970, Scotland had 3 British champions, Buchanan, Armstrong and McCluskey. Even more noticeable, there were 3 Ayrshire boxers alone in the top ten in one division, Armstrong, Bell and Cheshire.
A few months ago when the Boxing News ranked every active boxer in the UK, I think Scotland had around 50 boxers. And there's only 4 worthy of a rating?
I would say there are 6 prospects capable of putting up a strong challenge in the future for a British title - Paulin, Towell, Taylor, Ham , Flynn and Ball.

[littlepug]

Ian butcher is a good little fighter

[ThereByTheGrace]

Yes its pretty dire up here for boxing talent, even worse when burns is the placeholder he isn't any good tbh just a trier int he right place at right time. Lets hope for better in the future cant be any worse

[BitPlayer]

Managers get a lot of stick , some of it justified, but many, many pro boxers don't live the life. They don't train full time until there's a fight arranged, others continually refuse to fight for all sorts of reasons. In my opinion if you decide to be a pro boxer then you have to train at least four times a week, and when you're offered a fight you take it. If you don't want to commit, then enter the unlicensed circuit. Being a pro boxer is a 'lifestyle ' not a hobbie.a big problem is when you're training regularly and no fights are on the horizon. Be prepared to travel, and occasionally be on the end of a hometown decision. If you're good enough you'll come good.
There's good boxers in Scotland who'll never get the chance to prove it.

Why should they fight unlicensed? It's more dangerous.

[Stuarty]

Ian butcher is a good little fighter

I thought he should've got the nod against Satchell in that fight for the British and Commonwealth. Excellent win last time out against Essomba where a lot of folk thought he'd be beaten. The guy has talent and bottle. Would like to see him get another crack at the British asap.

[Nightmare Roy]

I prefer knicker sniffing myself

Each to their own, in my own experience it's far cheaper to acquire a tube of bostik than to prise a bird's knickers off her - unless she's unconscious and gaffer taped up of course.

I've never done the old glue sniffing. When I was younger a lassie that used to kick about with us died from sniffing lighter fuel. Beautiful looking girl as well! Model material! Her brother got stabbed and murdered like a few months later as well.

Sorry for lowering the tone like. That just popped into my head. I'm think-typing!

Kin ell! Your manor makes East Enders seem like button moon.

[Stuarty]

Each to their own, in my own experience it's far cheaper to acquire a tube of bostik than to prise a bird's knickers off her - unless she's unconscious and gaffer taped up of course.

I've never done the old glue sniffing. When I was younger a lassie that used to kick about with us died from sniffing lighter fuel. Beautiful looking girl as well! Model material! Her brother got stabbed and murdered like a few months later as well.

Sorry for lowering the tone like. That just popped into my head. I'm think-typing!

Kin ell! Your manor makes East Enders seem like button moon.

It's a desperate shite hole. It's a little better now than it was years ago but not by much.