Purvis set to step up at Ravenscraig

The 18-year-old has won the Scottish novice title twice but now steps up to senior level and intermediate class, where he will take on fighters aged between 18 and 40 years old.

Purvis, who has seven wins and three defeats from his ten fights so far, is in a pool of 12 boxers seeking glory at 69kgs.

To qualify for the intermediate championships, boxers have to have had between seven and 14 bouts and Purvis, along with a fighter from Edinburgh’s Meadowbank club, are the only two Eastern District representatives in the division.

Purvis has been making regular trips to Edinburgh and the North East for sparring, and his coach and father, Colin, said: “Jack is no stranger to the Ravenscraig venue but this is the first time he’s fought out of his own age group.

“He has been training hard though and has been getting excellent sparring with some top lads.

“This is a definite step up in class but it’s one that has to be made to progress. He has a great attitude towards training and fighting and always prepares well.

“He knows what it’s like to win here and we’ll be going to Ravenscraig confident and in good spirits.”

The Hawick club is buzzing at the minute, and a busy second half of the season is on the cards, with the Scottish Elite Championships in February and several club shows in the pipeline.

Purvis senior added: “We are planning a club trip to the Netherlands in May to take part in the Eindhoven Box Cup.

“This will be a first for the club and it will be a brilliant experience for both boxers and coaches.

“We also have a lot of youngsters in the gym at the moment and we will be looking to get several new boxers registered and through their medicals in the next two weeks. It all bodes well for the future of boxing in Hawick.”