Progress of duo pleases Foy
LIAM Foy hailed the progress being made by his young Highland Boxing Academy fighters Alex Birks and Michael George after both triumphed at Elgin Amateur Boxing Club’s Show.
Birks overcame Luke Mathew, of the host club, in a 62kg schoolboy contest, while George defeated another local boxer in John-George Nicoll to prevail in their welterweight contest.
Asked to use his long reach to keep him away from Mathew by academy coaches Alan MacLennan and Derek Duncan, Birks used this advice to good effect, scoring throughout with some well-timed jabs.
Despite a strong final round by Mathew, the 15-year-old held firm under pressure to emerge victorious.
For clubmate George, the fight against Nicoll was his first competitive bout since narrowly losing on points in the semi-finals of his weight category at the Scottish Novice Championships last month.
The 23-year-old, however, showed no adverse effects from this setback as he set about his experienced about with much gusto.
His movement around the ring, allied to some powerful punching, meant George emerged a clear winner on points following three rounds of boxing.
"Alex took to the task well, continually scoring throughout with clean scoring jabs," said academy had coach Foy. "Luke pushed hard in the third round, but was countered by Alex when coming forward.
"This was another great victory for Alex, who is making great progress at the academy.
"A strong and highly experienced John-George was eager to impose his strength on Michael early on, but he was sharp and his timing of punches was impeccable.
Michael moved around the ring with great craft and was a the clear winner after three tough rounds of boxing.
"He came to the academy with one win and two losses having previously boxed locally in Inverness, but since joining us Michael has recorded six wins and one loss.
"This just goes to show not only the progress he has made, as well as Michael’s commitment, but the coaching and development that has gone into Michael since coming to the academy."
Joe Cuthbert was also in action at Elgin, but the 12-year-old could not make it a hat-trick of wins, narrowly losing his 40kg schoolboy contest on a split decision to Fraser Wilkenson, of Elgin ABC.
"Joe started slowly in the contest, but battled hard in the second and third rounds against southpaw Wilkenson and came agonisingly close to winning," said Foy.
"Joe, who won earlier in the year away from home in Arbroath, is a very committed to training and I’m sure that this narrow loss will only make him more determined to come even back stronger."
