Crawford bosses centre to land title

Mar 5 2008 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

FOUR Isles Boxing Club had three boxers fighting in the Western District Championships on Saturday, at the Pivot Centre in Moodiesburn.

James McLauchlan was first in for his semi-final against Anton Lafferty, Barn ABC.

This was a good contest with little between the boxers, with both giving their all for three rounds.

It was a very close decision with Lafferty getting the nod 13 points to 12.

Steven Crawford was next in for his final of the 48-kilo class against Scottish Champion Donald McAllister, Springhill ABC.

Crawford took the initiative from the word go, keeping to the centre of the ring, peppering McAllister with some lovely left hands to the head and running out a very worthy seven-points-to-five winner.

Barry Craig was next in for his semi- final against Thomas Crawford, Broadwood ABC.

Craig outscored and outclassed Crawford, giving him a right boxing lesson, to win easily by a score of seven points to nil.

He was back in the ring for the final against Joe Ham, of Dennistoun ABC, but he was not as sharp as he was in his semi- final, allowing Ham to dictate matters.

Ham earned the points decision that was finally awarded him.

The youngster, Craig, was back in action at the weekend on Saturday when he took on Lewis Benson, of Edinburgh’s Sparta ABC, in the quarter-finals Scottish Championships in Lasshade Centre.

Craig was in fantastic form, showing the great skills he possesses, never allowing Benson to get into the fight.

He scored with some great combinations to head and body and running out a very worthy winner by a score of 13 to five.

His semi-final opponent was Derek Skinner, Zetland ABC, Grangemouth, in a much tougher fight for Craig and he had to pull out all the stops for a 12-point-to-10 win. He now faces Adam McPhee, of Glenboig ABC, in the final which will be staged in Airdrie Town Hall on Friday, March 21.