Boxing: Capital lands two national showdowns

East coast amateur boxing fans have been handed a New Year feast with back-to-back boxing internationals - against Wales and Northern Ireland - to be staged at Meadowbank Sports Centre on consecutive Saturdays (January 15 and 22).

Confirming the international boxing bonanza, Amateur Boxing Scotland (ABS) official Jimmy Dunn said: "I was behind the staging of the European Junior championships at Meadowbank in 1992 and I've dreamt of bringing back international boxing to Meadowbank ever since. ABS boss Richard Thomas has also been a major mover behind making this happen. If Edinburgh fans turn out in numbers and support the two internationals then these scraps could be the first of many at Meadowbank.''

The announcement has had a knock-on effect on the city-based Lochend gym, with coach Terry McCormack confirming: "We will be keeping the gym open over Christmas and New Year as two of my boxers have been alerted that they will be boxing in these internationals.

"My flyweight Liam Tervit will box against Wales on January 15 while my lightweight Josh Taylor will face Northern Irish opposition on the following Saturday so I'll be getting both boxers into top shape for their fights. There's also a chance that our Scottish youth featherweight champion, Kevin Skey, could be involved.''

Holyrood club lightweight Louise Mitchell is poised to become the first female boxer from a Capital club to win an amateur boxing international boxing vest against Wales.