Fight fans flock to a full-blooded fundraiser
RICKY Hatton was not on the bill. The "Hitman" was in another show the following day in America, defending his IBO light welterweight belt against Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Garden Arena.
But the fight fans who filled Jedburgh Town Hall last Friday evening were not interested in Hatton. They had come to watch and cheer their own favourites on an amateur boxing card presented by Hawick ABS Thinkfitness.
Run in conjunction with Jedburgh Golf Club as a fundraising event, the 11-bout programme featured Borders boxers against opposition from the Rest of Scotland.
It was billed as a night of boxing – and what a fine night of boxing it turned out to be.
The Hawick club had its share of winners and losers – one such winner being Jethart's very own Wattie Hogg. Facing Paddy Jumelle (Leith Victoria), Hogg boxed well throughout his bout, and went on to gain a unanimous points win. Hogg was well pleased with his victory, but admitted he had a source with him in the ring – the crowd.
Hogg told TheSouthern: "I came from Jedburgh, but had never boxed in Jed before, until tonight. I was very nervous about it, and in fact, I was that bad I could have been sick.
"When I went into the hall to go to the ring everything changed, as I got a fantastic reception. I couldn't believe it, it was just brilliant.
"This settled me right down and from there on I felt just great, especially when I heard the crowd cheering me on during the fight. This was a big help for me, and I managed to box quite well. It was terrific to have won at Jed."
Gary Bowie also gained a win for Hawick in his lively encounter with Leith Victoria's Vinnie Jumelle.
A real crowd-pleaser, Bowie fought in a guns-blazing style in repeatedly coming forward. Jumelle fought well, but Bowie was always in command and won convincingly on points.
Having only his second fight, Bowie certainly looked the part in this outing, and he told us: "I have been training for American football up in Edinburgh as well as doing boxing, and I am going to have to choose between the two sports.
"But after tonight it has to be boxing. I really enjoyed the fight. It was just excellent, I loved the atmosphere and all that was going on."
Next up was Hawick light heavyweight John Scott, who had been outpointed by Steven Marshall of Dunfermline in Fife three weeks beforehand.
It was a bout that most of the onlookers felt that Scott had won well but the verdict went against the Borderer. A rematch was arranged, and this time around Scott reversed the result.
In the opening two rounds little separated the boxers. However, in the final round Scott really excelled and this showing without doubt put the honours his way.
Up-and-coming Hawick heavyweight prospect Sean Allison emerged a points victor over Scott Hartley of Alloa.
Allison was never anywhere near his best though, and had to work really hard to gain his win.
In a superheavyweight battle, Davie Patterson of Hawick clashed with Stuart McIntyre of Lochend. Patterson gave his all, but the decision went the way of the Lochend man who had finished well.
The most unfortunate boxer of the night was Hawick’s Scott McKay. Always on the attack, McKay seemed to have outboxed and outfought his backpeddling counterpart Kris White of Alloa throughout. Amazingly, however, White was announced a majority points winner.
Hawick’s Andrew Shuttleworth ended his match with Jason Parsons of Grangemouth bloodied and battered, as well as on the wrong end of a points decision.
Shuttleworth emerged with a lot of credit though, as he fought toe to toe with Parsons in a bruising clash, that went down well with the ringsiders.
Sean Gentleman, one of many young boxers within the Hawick stable with a lot of potential, produced the goods to the full in outpointing Michael Haughien of Lochend.
In the opposite corner to the much taller Barry Hogg, Midlothian, H. J. Hutchison from the Hawick club’s nursery Burnfoot branch had his fight stopped at the end of the first round.
Hawick’s Scott Grant met Craig Brownstein, Midlothian, in a good exhibition bout and in a similar match, Bryce Stewart of Zetland faced Dillon Moffat, Midlothian.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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