Boxing: Louise will have a fight on her hands

Lightweight Mitchell faces Aberdeen's Katy Atkin at the Time Capsule, Coatbridge, looking to secure the Scottish women's 60kg crown.

Scottish international team coach Mark Geraghty believes that while Atkin has more ring experience than her Capital rival, Mitchell's display in a Scotland vest at Meadowbank earlier this year could give her the edge.

Geraghty said: "Katy Atkins is more experienced than Mitchell but, when you consider how well Louise boxed in January at Meadowbank against more experienced Welsh champion Charlene Jones, then I'd say Louise's height and greater reach and her great long left jab could give her an added edge when it comes to scoring.''

Mitchell herself was confident about winning her first Scottish title and grabbing a place in the history books for becoming eastern Scotland's first ever women's lightweight national champion.

"I've worked really hard in the gym for this and I've had great sparring sessions with my Holyrood club colleague, Ross Love, who has not only really pushed me hard but also made me really sharp and ready to do the business against Atkins,'' she revealed.

"I've sparred with Atkins during Scottish squad sessions and I know a bit about her style and strengths and weaknesses so I aim to bring back the Scottish 60kg title from Coatbridge.''

Edinburgh's other Scottish title contender is Leith Victoria's flyweight Magdalene Berns, who takes on Newarthill boxer Stephanie Kernachan at Coatbridge. Her Leith Victoria coach Ray Gibson commented: "Maddie Berns has the heart of a lion and an aggressive, come forward style but, honestly, I think that Maddie will do well to defeat the vastly-more experienced Kernachan.''

"I've seen Maddie and Kernachan in sparring sessions and I think that the Lanarkshire girl always seemed to have the edge but of, course, I'll be delighted if Magdalene proves me wrong."