Graham gives Ali a great chance at Danderhall

Published on Saturday 26 January 2008 09:52

LEITH VICTORIA club coach Jack Graham has high hopes for light-welterweight fighter Shazade Ali to do well in today's Eastern Amateur Youth boxing championships at Danderhall Community Centre.

"Shazade is a relative novice but he has a good right hand and he could do well – although competition at light-welterweight is likely to be keen," said Graham of the Broxburn fighter.

The event, starting at 1pm, has attracted a bumper entry and organiser Colin Richards, from the Midlothian club, explained: "We have a over 80 boxers which guarantees that fans coming to today's event will see arouund 30 bouts for their money.

"The light-welterweight division is especially competitive as my own club has several good boys at this weight such as Josh Croall and my body puncher, Paul Stewart who was a big hit with the fans at our club show in the same Danderhall venue in November.''

And Richards went on: "We also have high hopes of our featherweight Max Niven repeating the great club form he also showed in that November club show although with good entries from clubs like Sparta all my boxers will have to be in top form.''

Unfortunately the Leith Victoria contingent will have to make do without Scottish internationalist and light-welterweight champion Sandy Forsyth who could not make the weight.

Admission to the event is 7 for adults and 5 for children.