Fight fans treated to close contests

Feb 23 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Charity boxing night

MONKLANDS fight fans weren’t left short-changed on Friday night at an annual charity boxing show.

A full house at the Tudor Hotel in Airdrie watched 12 bouts go the distance with punchers from across the country doing battle in the ring.

The card was organised as part of the fundraiser in aid of the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.

Matchmaker Jimmy Robertson said: “Every bout went the distance and they were all competitive fights.

“The punters want to see close contests when they come along to a show and that’s what they got.

“All of the fighters had a bit of experience and I’m quite pleased with how the card went.”

Four Isles youngster Elliott O’Donnell got the home side off to a winning start when he defeated Hillpark’s Conor Stewart.

But there was disappointment for Jon Jo Devine in the next fight as he lost out to Jordan Smith of Stewart’s Melville College in Edinburgh.

Kilsyth’s Lee Ferns got the better of Clydebank Osprey boxer Robert Harkin while Gary Smith, of Keir Hardie BC, inflicted a loss on Duries BC hopeful Kyle McFarlane.

There wasn’t much between any of the boxers during the evening with Barrhead’s Steven Rae seeing off Ryan Cassidy from Kilsyth.

The first half of the show was rounded off with Forgewood’s David McCormack beating Gary McGuire, of Bellahouston BC.

Four Isles youngster James McLauchlan fell to Ryan Downer of Barrhead before Cambusnethan’s Gerry Taggart edged past Paisley’s Darren Tarr.

Plains’ Dylan Shaw is one for the future and he enhanced his reputation with a fine win over Irvine Vineburgh’s Dylan Nixon.

Doon Valley BC sent one representative to Monklands and Arron Dingwall’s trip ended with a win against Jordan Beveridge of Irvine.

Jamie Lamb, of Keir Hardie, did enough to defeat Drumchapel’s Davie Donoghue.

And in the final contest of the evening, Kilsyth’s Derek Skinner defeated Paddy McGowan of the Four Isles.