Boxing: Ryan McCutcheon buzzing for Belgrade

It may only be the fourth month of the calendar year, but Clovenstone boxer Ryan McCutcheon is already in dreamland.

The 18-year-old is in his first season at senior level and has, in a short period, underlined his credentials after being crowned 52kg Scottish champion last month at Meadowbank when he defeated Glasgow Phoenix’s Liban Elmi 13-8.

The teenager was due to fly out today to spend the next four days in Serbia competing for Scotland in the Belgrade Winners Tournament. “It’s been a brilliant year so far and if I could bring back a medal for my country then it would be amazing. It’s going to be a learning experience for me and just to step in the ring with some of these guys is going to be a real honour,” McCutcheon said.

“I’ve been training harder so it’s been great. I’m buzzing
for Belgrade and I know I will be going there as a big 
underdog and coming up against some really experienced guys, but I want to show them what Scotland is all about. I could be drawn against the world No. 1 for all I know.”

McCutcheon will travel as part of a team that includes eight other Scottish champions from last month’s finals.

The Lochend club will have two representatives this 
weekend in the Serbian capital, with 64kg champion Lewis Benson, an impressive winner at Meadowbank, and team-mate Aston Brown also competing in the 75kg weight division.