Boxing: Movie magic adds sparkle to Vics show

The annual Leith Victoria spring show is traditionally one of the most-eagerly anticipated events on the local amateur boxing calendar and this year is no different.

This year is especially intriguing, not just because of the return of Lochend crowd-pleasing middleweight Tommy Philbin, who tops the bill against Alloa's Darren Reid, but because the capacity Masonic Club crowd will share the novel experience of being movie extras as the final scenes of a short boxing film - directed by Neil Hartop - are put in the can.

The event will also be crucial for Leith Victoria light-flyweight Tyler Gibson. His father, Leith show matchmaker Ray Gibson, said: "Tyler will be boxing on April 30 at the new Ravenscraig Sports Centre near Motherwell where he will compete in the Scottish Intermediate championships for boxers with between seven and 14 bouts.

"With that in mind, I see his clash on Sunday at with Cleland's Jack Nicholas as a vital warm-up to keep Tyler sharp for the championships."

Revenge is also on the menu, adding spice to the event.

Gibson added: "At welterweight, our Leith Vics boxer Colin Curry is looking to avenge a defeat suffered by his buddy and clubmate Gregorz Korsak earlier this year at the hands of Duries club opponent Kyle McFarlane.''

Stuart Burt of the Renfrew club has a similar agenda when he clashes with Leith Victoria's British Universities champion Ally Hardie.

"Hardie beat Burt previously so the Renfrew boxer requested a rematch as he wasn't at all happy with the verdict, so we're delighted to accommodate him - fans love a grudge match,'' said Gibson.

Another bout likely to met with ringside fans' approval is the all-Edinburgh club clash featuring Lochend puncher David Dickson and Holyrood's all-action Phil Coppola.