Commonwealth Games: Ross Henderson KO to footballing link

IF THERE is one fact that boxer Ross Henderson would like the world to know about him right now, it is that he is not related to Willie Henderson. No disrespect to the former Rangers and Scotland winger, as they say in footballing circles - his super-heavyweight namesake just wishes to clear up the misconception that there is any connection between the two.

"I don't know where that came from," Ross said of the error, which was compounded when the Team Scotland handbook said his father was a footballer who had turned out for his country. "I think if you asked him he would take it.

"My dad is Joe Henderson - I don't really look like Willie, do I? He's a wee guy and I'm 6ft 6in - if I was Willie's boy he would be asking questions.

"My dad is a blacksmith. He's been a blacksmith and a hydraulic engineer all his days. He didn't even play football, so I don't know where they got it from. I think he would have liked his football, but he's been a grafter all his days. He is a football fan, although I'd rather not say who he supports, in case it puts people off supporting me."

Despite that lack of sporting heritage, Henderson has clearly benefited from having a blacksmith as a father. He works at the trade himself, and admitted it did his boxing no harm.

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"I'm in the blacksmiths trade as well and I suppose it has helped, with some of the heavy gates I'm lifting all day. I do a lot of electric gates, a lot of security gates, balconies, staircases.

"It is a lot of heavy work and I suppose it helps me - but I don't think that at half four when my arms are hanging out of my sockets. It's a good game and it does help build up my strength, because I'm howfin' stuff all day, digging holes and everything .

"I work with my father and he knows I'm here doing something for my country, so he's proud. But I've had to negotiate some time off - it's a touchy subject. In the last four or five months, I don't think I've had a pair of work boots on. So I will owe my dad some overtime when I get home - that and a reduction in my wages, I think."

Although now 23, Henderson is still a boxing novice, having only taken up the sport two years ago. Partly because of that, he is happy, for the time being at least, to remain in the amateur ranks.

"Right now, I'm not stupid enough to turn pro, have five or six good fights and maybe get a shot at some title," he explained. "I'm going to learn my trade so that, when I turn pro, I'll be good enough.

"If I'm good enough to win a European, Commonwealth or World title as an amateur, I'll turn pro. I won't turn pro just to make up the numbers or get the wages.

"So I'll learn my trade in the amateur game, fighting all the top Russians, Cubans, the lot. I'm learning so much from it.Hopefully, after the 2014 Games in Glasgow, I'll be ready to turn pro and do well."

His relative inexperience may tell against the Motherwell man, but, in common with his team-mates, he is happy to back himself against anyone. "Aye, I'm confident. I'm fit, I'm strong and I've trained hard for this competition. I feel I've done significant training for this and I'm buzzing for it to start.

"I've not fought many of the other boxers before, but I'm not one of these guys who spends hours on the computer, looking at what the opposition have done.

"Any guy who goes into the ring, I take my hat off to them, especially in a competition like the Commonwealth Games. There aren't any fighters who would make you say: 'I fancy him first'. Every boxer is strong and we've all got a puncher's chance."

History is on the side of Henderson and his team-mates, as boxing is the only sport at which Scotland have won a medal at every Games. Competition in all ten weight categories begins today.