Lee McAllister out to mark anniversary with win

IT HAS not escaped Aberdeen lightweight Lee McAllister's attention that he defends his Commonwealth title against Ghanaian Samuel Amoako this evening at Bellahouston Leisure Centre, Glasgow, on the anniversary of one of Scottish boxing's most memorable bouts.

Thirty seven years ago, on January 29, 1973, Edinburgh's Ken Buchanan and Glasgow's Jim Watt contested the British lightweight crown at the St Andrew's Sporting Club. In the event, Buchanan triumphed by dint of a points victory over his successor as world lightweight champion.

"That was a landmark fight and a memorable night for Scottish boxing and I am looking forward to carrying on the tradition of great lightweights," McAllister said yesterday after weighing in almost three pounds heavier than his opponent at nine stone, eight pounds, four ounces. "This is another big fight for me but they are all huge from now on because of what lies ahead. There are other opportunities bubbling away in the background ready to come off and I plan to grab them with both hands."

McAllister's manger, Tommy Gilmour, added: "I feel Lee is capable of achieving big things. He is not frightened to talk the talk and then walk the walk. Sure, he can appear a bit cock sure at times, but that is what makes him the colourful character he is."

Glenrothes' Stevie McGuire will make his debut at light-heavyweight against Michael Banbula, from Staines, on the undercard which is headlined by the Scotstoun super-bantamweight David Savage and Aberdeen-born Gavin Reid in a contest for the vacant Scottish title.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh's Stephen Simmons is in the British Amateur Boxing Association's provisional 21-man Podium Squad as part of its selection process for the GB Boxing team that will compete at the 2012 Olympics in London.