Greenock schoolboy packs a punch to go for British title

Lewis Boyle has followed up his gold medal success at the Scottish championships earlier this year with a call-up to the national squad to fight in Cardiff later this month.

The sporty 12-year-old trains at Danny Lee's Bawhirley Road gym five days a week and also plays football for St Andrew's Boys' Club.

He won the Scottish title at 34 kilos in February and will now compete in the Welsh capital for British glory at 35.5kg over the weekend of July 28 and 29.

Lewis, who attends Notre Dame High, said: "I'm proud of myself, especially lately when it's been hard training in this heat.

"I've been working towards this and I'm excited for it.

"I'm going to go and give it my all."

His delighted dad David, who lives in Balmore Road, is thrilled with his son's success.

He said: "Between boxing and football, he's lucky if he gets a day off.

"Lewis is definitely putting the work in and he's coming on great."

The youngster is among a group of promising local boxers being trained by club coach Robbie McKechnie, who competed at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Robbie said: "They're a really good crowd and Lewis did well to win the Scottish and now he's old enough to go for the British.

"Last year was his first season and he lost in the Scottish final and went on and won it this year, so he's definitely improving.

"He's doing really well."

Lewis's selection for Team Scotland and his British championship nod is another feather in the cap for his home town gym.

Danny Lee, Greenock Boxing Club head coach, said: "He's doing really well and it's brilliant for the club.

"Usually we have representatives competing every year and Robbie himself was in the final twice but wasn't allowed to enter this year because of the Commonwealth Games.

"We have an excellent team and if all the boys stick with Robbie over the next few years we will have some superstars."

The Boyle family would like to thank local roofing company Abacus for sponsoring Lewis.