martial arts

Liam McKendry (18), from Kirkintilloch, took on highly-rated Gavin Rodgerson at Haydock Race Track, in Merseyside.

Former Scottish Super Welterweight champion Mescho Dunko, who trains Liam at Kirkintilloch’s M-MAG Martial Arts and Fitness Gym, said: “Gavin is a hard technical fighter with a very experienced background and who is in his 30s.

“We had trained very hard for this as we knew it would be Liam’s toughest fight to date.”

The first round was fought at a tremendous pace with both combatants blows, but Liam gained the upper hand after cutting his opponenet with some deadly elbow strikes.

He then drove home his advantage in the second and, despite losing some composure in the dying seconds, was victorious after his opponent’s corner threw in the towel.

It was the latest victory for Liam, who last year was selected from scores of hopefuls to land a scholarship at the prestigious Sumalee Boxing Gym in Thailand.

He’s also now landed a sponsor to support him in his quest to become a champion - Kirkintilloch-based business Ross Lockhart Cars.

Mescho said: “I can’t stress how important a deal like this is for Liam, his supporters and the gym. He is going to be busy fighting over the coming months up and down the UK so this really helps.”