Scottish referee Paul Graham turns promoter

BoxRec News recently got the chance to catch up former Scottish referee Paul Graham, who has decided to move into the world of boxing promotion. The jump from referee to promoter is not the most common but Paul “couldn’t see promotion to Star class A in the near future so went off in a different direction”.

 

Paul’s first show takes place on Sunday 27th June at the Cleland Miners Welfare Club, Main St, Cleland.

 

Rather than the typical Friday or Saturday night fare, Paul is going down a slightly different route with a Sunday afternoon lunch, followed by a comedian and three professional bouts. Paul is keen to keep the prices affordable and told boxrec news “My thinking is that guys who go out for a pint on a Sunday would possibly spend £45 anyways. So I hope that Sunday Lunch a comedian and 3 professional bouts is good value for money”.

 

Paul’s show will be the first professional boxing to take place at the Cleland miners club that is more commonly associated with the amateur game. The club has links to the professional world however, having been home to former British title challenger Joe Townsley and his brother Jackie. Paul was also keen to acknowledge the owners of the Miners Club, Gerry and Paul Gallagher, “both boxed as amateurs with the Cleland Club and are big boxing fans. They have been a great help in keeping the costs down.”

 

Help has also come from experienced Scottish promoter Alex Morrison and his daughters who are on hand not only to give any advice he needs it but also to let a couple of their boxers appear on the bill. Kris Hughes and Paddy Pollock are both scheduled to appear along with Grahams own signing Craig Docherty.

 

Graham hopes that if the first show is successful then it will become a regular event, “I hope that it will be a success and I hope to run lots of shows of the same type. I will be delighted to attain a quarter of the success Tommy (Gilmour) and Alex (Morrison) have achieved. I hope to tap into the Sunday afternoon market. Who knows? Between the three of us we could have a thriving boxing circuit up here.”

 

The former ref turned promoter has had to learn promoting on the job and thinks “the toughest thing about promoting my first show is that I am doing everything my self from a standing start. Tickets, posters, sponsors, programmes, advertising, meals, comedian and boxers. I feel as if I’m trying to create a vortex in an Olympic size swimming pool!”.

 

The tickets are going fast and anyone wanting to get any should phone and book early direct from Paul on 01698 338888 or 07801735598 or from the Cleland club staff. The doors open at 2.15pm and the boxing itself is scheduled to start at 4pm.