Young boxers do Kilsyth proud

Firstly, on Sunday, December 4, both Jamie and Thomas McLaughlin (pictured below) took to the ring in Newarthill, Lanarkshire to show off their skills.

Jamie was up first and boxed superbly to record a well deserved victory over Bannockburn’s Thomas Coyle.

Next through the ropes was brother Thomas who faced a very difficult challenge from strong opponent George White, of Glenboig.

But, with a gutsy showing, Thomas managed to snatch a hard-earned win.

Then, last Wednesday evening, it was the turn of Kilsyth Golden Gloves’ Lee Ferns and Derek Skinner as they faced match-ups in Airdrie.

As the two most experienced pugilists in the Kilsyth stable, expectations were high and the two talented fighters didn’t fail to deliver.

Lee managed to exact revenge for a defeat inflicted on him a number of years ago with a brave and very intelligent performance against Stephen Crawford of the Four Isles club.

And, in the bill topper, Derek Skinner was once again too much for his old foe Paddy McGowan, also of the local Airdrie club Four Isles.

This win is on the back of some very impressive performances from Derek in the last couple of months.

This included a sensational win in Barrow in Furness at the end of November.

Derek’s coach Joe McCluskey expects a bright future.

He said: “The improvement in Derek this season has been a revelation.

“If he keeps improving at this rate he will certainly be a contender for the Scottish title in 2012.”