Forres Academy pupil and Golden Gloves title holder Marcus McEwan of Elgin Boxing Club is aiming to box for the Scotland squad
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A PROMISING young boxer from Kintessack hopes to join the national team having won the Golden Gloves Championships in February.
Fifteen-year-old prospect, Marcus McEwan, is training with Elgin Boxing Club (EBC), where head coach, Paul ‘Ratch’ Gordon, is confident he will perfect his talent and follow in the footsteps of gym mates and champions Fraser Edwards, Corey Rizza, Megan Gordon, Arran Devine, Tyler Sked, Lukas Vaitekunas and Jacob Ballingall, as well as professionals Fraser Wilkinson and Andrew Smart.
Marcus said: “I started boxing because it looked interesting and my mum got me into it.
“One day, I want to be selected for the Scotland squad.”
The Forres Academy pupil started boxing in November 2019 at Jacobite BC in Nairn where he won three fights – two of them in the Scottish Schools Novice championships – winning Gold.
Ratch explained: “Then Covid hit and just as competitive boxing resumed, Jacobite ceased training.
“Around June last year, Marcus’ parents contacted me to see about him coming.
“At first I was reluctant as often boxers from other clubs struggle to adjust to new methods. We were also struggling for space as our own boxers had been so successful that everyone wanted to join!
“Eventually I agreed and Marcus went to the younger class. He was big for a 14-year-old so, after coach Goldie got him to keep his hands up, we transferred him to the older class.”
The senior class at EBC features Commonwealth Games, GB, Scottish and district champions.
“Marcus gelled right in,” said Ratch.
“This shows the level he’s reaching.
“For his first fight, we put him in an exhibition against a heavier and more experienced boy. He handled the occasion with ease.”
Last November, Elgin Boxing Club entered Marcus in the Scottish Novice Championships in the 70kg weight class again, where he stopped two opponents in the first round to win the title.
Marcus’ record is currently six wins with zero losses. He trains three times a week at the Brodie Place, Bishopmill, gym and is now improving his skills on the Boxing Scotland Performance Pathway programme.
Ratch added: “We entered him into the Golden Gloves Championships in Motherwell and he also took that title, stopping his opponent this time in the second round.
“We hope this victory will enable him to wear the Scotland vest and compete in the British Championship later this year.”
Marcus finished: “I enjoyed the fight, receiving the medal and the golden gloves.”
