Boxing: McMillan is ready for title defence

Lochend's British Masters welterweight champion Gary McMillan has confirmed that he is poised to defend his crown over ten rounds against big-punching Englishman Anthony Paterson.

The bout will be held at Glasgow's Thistle Hotel on Friday, June 17 as part of the Capital-based champion's manager Alex Morrison's next promotion.

And former amateur McMillan revealed his double motivation for seeing off Paterson's challenge. "I've just recently been married and acquired a new house so I'm hungry to capitalise financially on my Masters title, then mount a challenge for the British welterweight title.

"Paterson's last four victories all came by the knock-out route but I'm confident that I can do a number on him when we clash on June 17. However, in the meantime I am actively seeking sponsorship from a local businessman or group of businessmen for around 100 per week so if anyone out there wants to back a rising local boxing star like me, they can contact me on 07783 408 257."

Meanwhile, Lochend lightweight David Dickson has quit the ring - aged just 20 - in disgust at losing a controversial split points decision to Bannockburn rival Michael Stupart on Sunday at the Stirlingshire club's show.

"I clearly felt that I had beaten Hillpark's Stupart but the judges gave him the verdict. Also, Stupart was hitting me low during the bout but this is jut one of several recent decisions against me that I think I won clearly, so I've decided that enough is enough and so I'm calling it a day on boxing.

"I've been increasingly disillusioned so the Hillpark show decision was the final straw for me.''

Dickson added: "I had over 20 bouts and won Scottish Novice and Intermediate titles at featherweight and lightweight but I've totally lost my appetite for boxing."