The first Amateur Boxing Scotland Intermediate Championships had a good start with a highly enjoyable and well skilled day of boxing.

Despite having only 27 entries a week before the entry closing date and having to delay the entry date, the ABS decided to hold the tournament over one day at Glasgow's Pivot Centre and in return were rewarded with 29 high quality bouts.

The Intermediate class is for amateur boxers with no fewer than seven bouts and no more than twelve. This makes a good bridge from Novice to Open class.

Every bout contested was closely competitive and hard fought, there was not one bout where a fighter was disgraced with by their performance and many contests showcased both contestants’ high quality skills.

The computer scoring yet again copped criticism but I felt this quite unfair as most bouts never had a clear winner and most of the time the scores favoured the right man. The margins of victory however were disappointing with sometimes very low scores.

Highlights of the day. Despite me being in a dual role (Greg came up short in a fan-friendly bout against 1993 60kg winner Sean Spence - Ed.) I managed to watch most of the bouts of the day and here is my picks of the action. It was hard to narrow it down, I must add.

Bout 3: Darren Departo (Millennium) W9-5 Scott McIntyre (Newarthill)

A very entertaining bout. McIntyre showcased excellent boxing ability in the first round as he out manoeuvred the forward coming Departo. McIntyre however lacked urgency and in the second Departo managed to get into distance but was soon picked off with accurate counter punches. In the third McIntyre showcased his full repertoire on the game Departo but to Departo’s credit he kept standing and kept punching back. Most people at ringside felt McIntyre won the bout handily but it was not the case but Departo congratulated his opponent in a display of commendable sportsmanship that exemplified the day.

Bout 4: James Thompson (Hillpark) WRSC1 Robin Downer (Barrhead)

Thompson scored the only knock down of the day in this dramatic bout. Downer came out pressuring in his southpaw stance and looked to get inside Thompson but Thompson showed efficient skills as he caught the Barrhead southpaw with right hands. About mid way through the round Downer pressured Thompson into a corner but a spectacular straight right down the pipe dropped Downer. Downer’s back leg gave way and he fell into the corner but was up before the count of ‘8’ but the referee having the final say deemed him unfit to continue.

Bout 12: Joe Murray (Craigmillar) W7-4 Kieran McCaster (North West)

In a highly competitive battle of the wee lads both boys showed skill and determination. Right from the first bell they both went at each other with fierce intensity and never let up the whole fight. In the first round both demonstrating their keenness, got involved in a clinch and fell over each other, but were straight back up and punching. The judges had an unenviable job of picking a winner but both boys can hold their heads high after a blistering fight.

There were many more great contests throughout the day but these are just a selection of them. And a big thank you to all the lads who put up a great show.

List of Intermediate Champions 2010

(born) 1997

38kgs: Joe Murray (Craigmillar)

40kgs: Christopher McCluskey (Newarthill)

42kgs: Jon White (Glenboig)

1996:

36kgs: Lee Bailie (Zetland)

40kgs: William McPhee  (Glenboig)

48kgs Liam Tervrt (Lochend)

1995:

54kgs: William Mowat (Barn)

57kgs: Brodie Robertson (Craigmillar)

1994:

54kgs: Gary Carr (O’Neills)

57kgs: Scott McCormack (Bellahouston)

1993:

60kgs: Sean Spence (Queensferry)

1992:

75kgs: David McPike (North West)

Senior:

57kgs: David Dickson (Lochend)

60kgs: Michael Stupart (Dunfermline)

64kgs: James Thompson (Hillpark)

69kgs: Barry Jones (Renfrewshire)

91kgs: Jackie Kubis (Queensferry)

Full list of results can be found at

http://www.abs-ltd.org.uk/cms/documents/docs/Intermediateresults.pdf