Gilmour believes there is much to be excited about in Scottish boxing

By Jim Black

Glasgow promoter Tommy Gilmour has expressed optimism about the future of Scottish boxing.

The lack of a British, European or world champion has led some critics to conclude that the sport is suffering from a decline in interest.

But Gilmour does not share that pessimistic view, in the belief that the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will help boost Scottish boxing's profile.

Gilmour, who has spent a lifetime in boxing, has played a prominent role in ensuring that the country's most talented fighters have a platform on which to progress their careers through the St Andrew's Sporting Club.

With the Glasgow-based club due to stage its 300th show in March, Gilmour is extremely upbeat.

He said: "Overall, boxing is not in at all bad shape considering that Scotland is responsible for staging more than 10% of the shows held in the UK.

I am optimistic about the future of Scottish boxing and, as we edge closer to 2014, I feel sure that we will see the emergence of good young amateurs Boxing promoter Tommy Gilmour

"I think it is fair to say that every sport is suffering to an extent because of the current recession, but there is still plenty of interest being shown in boxing.

"Boxing faces stiff competition from rival sports but it is more than holding its own in terms of the number of youngsters taking up the sport and those interested in watching fights.

"I also believe that we will witness a further revival in interest as the Olympics and Commonwealth Games grow closer.

"It has not been my experience that spectator interest has waned noticeably, and when I speak with various trainers they assure me that they are being kept busy.

"John McDermott, Colin Bellshaw and Stevie McGuire run amateur clubs in Lanarkshire, Paisley and Fife and, according to all of them, they are packed out and boxing is booming in these areas of the country.

"Whether these youngsters go on to achieve bigger and better things in the professional ranks remains to be seen, but it is very encouraging that they continue to come through in healthy numbers.

"Clearly there is a percentage who will make it and others who will fall by the wayside but that has always been the case."

Gilmour, the son of the legendary Glasgow manager/promoter of the same name, currently has a stable of more than 20 fighters nationwide.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Is Gilmour right to be so optimistic?

He has high hopes that a number of them will achieve champion status, including Paisley light-middleweight Kris Carslaw, of whom much is expected.

"Kris signed with me a few months ago and this is potentially a big year for him," said Gilmour. "It will be a learning curve for him and he will benefit from having regular bouts.

"Kris's development has been hampered to an extent by a lack of fights but it is my intention to keep him busy with six to eight bouts over the remainder of this year.

"Ryan Brawley, the Prizefighter Series lightweight champion from Irvine, was a top amateur and he is another class act. But while I can make openings for them, these lads must ultimately have the desire to be successful."

The Glasgow trio of super-bantamweights David Savage and Paul McElhinney and welterweight Jamie McLevy are others Gilmour believes can go on to contest championships.

Scotland has not had a world champion since Alex Arthur relinquished his WBO title to Nicky Cook in September 2008 but Ricky Burns, the Commonwealth super-featherweight champion from Coatbridge, is a contender.

The 26-year-old, who is managed by another Scottish promoter, Alex Morrison, has a 6 March date with WBO champion Roman Martinez in Puerto Rico.

McAllister (c) with (l-r) Steven McGuire, Kris Carslaw, Gary McArthur and Jamie McLevy

Gilmour said: "Ricky has a mountain to climb, given that he is venturing into Martinez's backyard, as it were, and all that means in terms of local support and the influence that can have on the referee and judges.

"But the important thing is that Ricky has reached a high enough level to merit the opportunity.

"Scotland has two other Commonwealth champions in lightweight Lee McAllister and featherweight John Simpson so we are doing pretty well and better than most when compared to other countries of a similar size.

"McAllister, whom I manage, is also highly rated by the European Boxing Union and is a leading contender for the British title.

"Equally important is the fact that he is the sort of outspoken, bubbly character who puts bums on seats.

"So, yes, I am optimistic about the future of Scottish boxing and as we edge closer to 2014, I feel sure that we will see the emergence of a lot of good, young amateurs with big ambitions."

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