Boxing: John joins pro ranks

Leith Victoria middleweight boxer John McCallum, with four British youth titles and 13 eastern and Scottish titles in the amateurs, has turned pro with West Lothian manager and promoter Paul Graham.

McCallum said: "I was planing to head to the USA because I was frustrated at what I thought was a lack of opportunity as a pro here in Edinburgh but Paul has convinced me to try again under his guidance."

Graham added: "John McCallum is a talent with potential to match the likes of Alex Arthur and Paul Appleby.

"John will debut at Wishaw on November 19, where half the bill will be local Wishaw fighters.

"That's what I want to do in Edinburgh, use exciting guys like John and Gary Young as well as Jason Hastie, on non-dinner shows at 30 per head

"I've appointed Colin McNeil as McCallum's pro ring coach and cornerman and I aim to have him challenging for major titles within the next couple of years."