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Boxing helped Ayden Quinn (12) tackle ADHD and now the Banff schoolboy's a Scottish champion


By Craig Christie

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A BANFF schoolboy who took up boxing to help with a behavioural disorder has won a Scottish title at the age of 12.

Twelve-year-old Ayden Quinn is a Scottish intermediate boxing champion.
Twelve-year-old Ayden Quinn is a Scottish intermediate boxing champion.

Ayden Quinn, a member at both his local Macduff Boxing Club and Granite City BC in Aberdeen, took gold at the Boxing Scotland intermediate championships in Motherwell.

The Banff Academy pupil first tried out the sport in primary school after being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition affecting young people with symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Ayden’s potential at Macduff BC was recognised by the bigger Aberdeen club who could take his skills to the next level and bring him into the competitive ring.

Soon he was winning district titles and fighting in national finals, with the pinnacle being his Scottish championship glory at the Ravenscraig sports centre.

Mum Angela explained: “Due to having ADHD and issues dealing with his frustrations we thought we would try him at a sport to help him with this.

“Boxing taught him so much about dealing with frustration and anger as we had a lot of problems at school and home with this.

“It’s always good to raise awareness and understanding of such conditions rather than make assumptions about them.”

She said the sport has had such a positive effect on her son that he is determined to work hard to keep improving himself.

“Ayden trains hard and sticks to a strict diet to maintain his fighting weight. He shows dedication when a fight nears by getting up early to go running and prepare himself.”

A Scottish schoolboy northern district champ and Scottish Open silver medallist at novice level, Ayden stepped up a level this year.

“He fought in the intermediates and brought home a silver medal, and going onto the Scottish, he was determined to win this year after placing second last year,” said Angela.

Ayden Quinn took up boxing to help him with behavioural difficulties created by his ADHD.
Ayden Quinn took up boxing to help him with behavioural difficulties created by his ADHD.

The youngster came through two bouts over the same weekend to win his title. He beat a Doon Valley BC opponent to reach the final, and floored his next rival with a superb right hand in the first before earning victory on a split decision.

Ayden has gained the nickname ‘Mighty’, which was also the tag adopted in the 90s by Scottish middlewight Willie Quinn, who fought a British professional title fight.

A former coach of the boxer contacted Ayden’s family through social media to say the original ‘Mighty’ Quinn had heard about the youngster’s win and wished him success in the future.


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