RISING stars from Greenock Boxing Club are proud as punch after returning home with a haul of medals.

Fledgling fighters Luc McCavanagh, Maison Docherty, Andrew McClure and Lewis Boyle, who are all 13, along with 11-year-olds Marcus Latham and Liam Kelly, all bagged prizes at recent competitions, including in the Scottish, Western District and novice championships.

It comes as the Bawhirley Road boxing club prepares to welcome a team of opponents from Canada for a special showdown in Lady Octavia Sports Centre on March 30, with some of the boys scheduled to be on the card.

Head coach Danny Lee jnr heaped praise on the youngsters and the dedicated team of volunteer trainers, including senior boxer Robbie McKechnie.

Danny said: “The boys are doing really well.

“Robbie coaches them terrifically and trains them hard.

“We have a good structure at the club with Robbie and the other coaches, James, Alan and Mick.”

Talented teen Luc scored a hat-trick, triumphing in the Scottish, Western District and novice championships.

There were also successes for club-mates Maison, who won the western title for the second time; Andrew in the western, intermediate and novice events; Marcus, who bagged the Scottish and western titles; and there was western district successes for Lewis and Liam.

Some of the boys also won semi-final fights for the chance to compete for gold medals later this month — on the same day their coach Robbie is in action.

Robbie said: “I’ll be more nervous for them.

“It will be good fighting on the same day.”

Everyone at the club has now turned their attentions now turn to the Scotland versus Canada showcase in Lady O at the end of the month, with the Greenock boys set to make the return journey in July.

Coach James Bryce said: “It’s great for us to have the Canadian team coming here and we’re looking forward to going over there in the summer.

“The home show is in a bigger venue, which means we can hopefully sell more tickets, and it will be some show.”

Tickets for the Greenock event are on sale now, priced £15, by emailing greenockboxingclub@gmail.com or via the club’s Facebook page.