Boxing: Taylor and Philbin set for title tilts

LOCHEND lightweight Josh Taylor and his middleweight clubmate Tommy Philbin will be hungry for British title glory when they take part in the British Amateur Boxing Championships in London this week.

The duo will take on the cream of English and Welsh talent at their respective weights at York Hal in Bethnal Green and 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medal winner Taylor insisted: “I’m confident I can add a British title this week.

“It won’t be easy, though, as I could face some tough English boxers in Danny Philips and Lewis Adolfie.’’

Philbin was equally upbeat in his assesssment of the task that lies ahead, saying: “For me, the biggest English threat will be from Liverpool’s Calum Smith and John Dignam but I’m determined to come back with a British title from London.”

Scottish National team coach Mike Keane enthused: “This is a first-class opportunity for Taylor and Philbin to boost their reputations even more at British level.”

Keane, meanwhile, confirmed that two Lochend boxers, light-welterweights Lewis Benson and Elias Gear, plus Meadowbank light-welterweight Sean Spence have been chosen for his Scotland team who will box a British Army select in Hertfordshire at a barracks on November 17.