READY: Newns opens up with his left hook in the 69kgs final Photo: BOXING SCOTLAND
THE Boxing Scotland Elite championship finals took place on April 13 at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell. Two veterans of Scotland’s Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games team, Stephen Newns and Robbie McKechnie made sure of national titles this year.
Newns won the welterweight crown as he took a split decision victory over William McLean. “A tough bout against a very game opponent who’s been in the game as long as myself,” Newns said. “Real boxing people know that styles make fights, therefore I had to fight what was in front of me and gave 110% as always to get the win. Great feeling standing on top of the podium and receiving the belt after months and years of so much hard work and dedication, it makes it all worth it. “Ready for whatever’s next.” At light-welterweight McKechnie outpointed Cleland’s Sean Spence on a split decision as well to win his third Scottish Elite title. At lightweight Mark McKeown took a unanimous decision victory over John Casey in the men’s event while Hayfield lightweight Natalie Josko beat Farah Jamil on a split decision. It fell to bantamweight Matthew McHale to win a title for Lochend. He unanimously outscored Stephen Donald.