Sell-out crowd looking for McCallum to floor English

Published on Thursday 29 May 2008 10:29

SCOTTISH youth lightweight champion, Connor McCallum is looking to land a knock-out blow in front of a sell-out crowd in Edinburgh tomorrow night.

He will be fighting for his Gilmerton club at the Capital Hotel in Clermiston against an English north east select squad.

The young fighter, fresh from knocking out Michael Reilly during a Scots v. Dublin show in Kirkcaldy last week, faces a return bout with Jamie Gilhean, who he beat 9-8 on points the last time they met.

The bout is a timely affair as McCallum is preparing to represent Scotland in a major European youth tournament in Bulgaria between June 21-29.

Gilmerton club official, Rab Young, said: "As you can imagine, young McCallum's confidence is sky high after the spectacular way he knocked out Reilly in Fife last week. Connor was outstanding, but now he will try to repeat his victory against Tyne-Tees rival, Jamie Gilhean.

"This return match with Gilhean will also keep Connor sharp for when he boxes for Scotland in Bulgaria."

Topping the bill will be Gilmerton's outstanding light-welterweight stylist and Scottish Senior champion, John Thain, who faces Daniel Holden, while Thain's fellow Scottish internationalist club colleague, seasoned middleweight Tommy Philbin, will box Tyne-Tees opponent Ian Turnbull.

The show also features the comeback of veteran Gilmerton welterweight, Paul Deegan, who fights English team rival Trevor Crewe, while Gilmerton bantamweight Kevin Skey will be hoping that his English opponent, Jamie Humble, lives up to his surname when the first bell of their contest rings out.