Boxing: Tough going in Kirkcaldy

THE British Youth Boxing championships certainly proved to be a school of hard knocks for the Eastern hopefuls in Kirkcaldy.

After three semi-final defeats in the hunt for UK title glory, the final spotlight fell on Capital 13-year-old Joe Murray. But, despite the Craigmillar light-flyweight's best efforts, his English opponent Dalton Smith proved just too strong.

Smith triumphed 10-0 according to one judge's computer-based scorecard, despite the fact Murray scored on my card with several punches in each of the three rounds.

Meanwhile, the 56kg featherweight box-off for a place in the Delhi Commonwealth Games team had to be cancelled after officials revealed Scottish featherweight champion Jon Slowey had failed a drugs test earlier in the week.

The Dennistoun boxer has been suspended and could lose his 2010 senior 57kg title. A senior Amateur Boxing Scotland official said: "Depending on what substance Slowey has used, he could face a ban of between six months and two years under AIBA regulations."