Boxing: Coach tips Academy ace to make mark at weekend showpiece

Edinburgh Boxing Academy southpaw light-flyweight Barry Hogg is poised to make a big impact on the Scottish Schoolboys and Juniors amateur boxing championships at Coatbridge Time Capsule this weekend, according to his coach Sean Heron.

Ex-pro Heron said of Hogg, who previously won five eastern and three Scottish junior titles with Midlothian Amateur Boxing Club: "Barry has looked awesome in training. He's also on Hibs' books as a midfielder and has recently been forced to take time out from boxing due to an injury picked up on the football pitch, so he's especially hungry to shine this weekend.

"It's going to be a decent challenge for him, and although Glenboig's George White could be a tough opponent we're confident that Barry has the championship pedigree to beat the other five guys in his category.''

Hogg was equally upbeat about his chances of bringing back a fourth Scottish title from Coatbridge.

"White is the guy I'll have to beat but I'm really fired up for the championships and I'll be going all out to win my first title for the Edinburgh Boxing Academy,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Leith Victoria coach Ray Gibson is confident that his light-flyweight son Tylar could do well in the 1992 Schoolboys 42kg championship class.

Gibson senior said: "Tylar has already outpointed one potential opponent - Alloa's Robbie Jack - for the Eastern District championships title earlier this year, but his biggest roadblock to winning the Scottish title will be Stephen Newnes, who is the son of the Scottish international coach Steve Newnes.''

"Young Newnes outpointed Tylar in their last clash but he and I have learned from that defeat so we're looking for a different result this time around if they clash.''

Craigmllar coach Kenny McCartney's lightweight Brodie Robertson features in the 1995 Junior 60kg championship class, with high hopes of making his mark.

He said: "Fifer Fraser Gorn will be a tough nut to beat should we draw him and there are several guys from the west of Scotland in Brodie's section who we know little about.

"But he's been really sharp in training and has previously outpointed one potential opponent, Orbiston's Willie Wilson, so we're confident.''

"I also think that our 1997 42kg light-flyweight Joe Murray is in with a shout of winning a title, although the three other contenders for the title - Forgewood's Greg Nailen, Broadwood's Lee Dale and West Kilbride's Leon Roberts - are unlikely to be pushover opponents.

McCartney added: "I've also got my 1998 40kg light-flyweight contender Brandon Hunter taking part this weekend, but he has only had three bouts in total so I've mainly put him in for the experience. If he manages to win a title that would be a welcome bonus, but I've told him there is no pressure on him.''

In contrast, Midlothian featherweight Scott Brown, who is on an impressive run of ring form at club level, is a clear favourite to win the 1996 Scottish Junior 57kg crown - although unknown East European challenger Igor Sliwinski, who is based in the north-east, is a divisional dark horse.

Brown's Midlothian coach Ally Quilletti was cautious about making big claims ahead of the championships.

"Scott will do what he always does, give it his best shot and we hope that will bring him a title win," he said.

Entry to the Coatbridge Time Capsule costs 5 - payable at the door - and boxing starts at midday tomorrow and Sunday.