Amateur Boxing Scotland has launched an ambitious campaign to promote and develop boxing in Scotland with a Home International Series entitled BRING BACK BOXING. As a spokesman for Amateur Boxing explains, the idea behind the campaign is twofold:

"Firstly to give our young boxers experience on the international stage, which is completely different from district and national championships. By participating in the internationals, the boxers will gain experience in the training schedules and preparation required for international boxing competition as well as the overall experience of ring parade, large audience, press and competing against high caliber opposition from other boxing nations."

 

The Series will furthermore help to identify boxers with the talent to progress to the Commonwealth Games squad selection for 2014, when the event will be held in Glasgow, and beyond.

According to Amateur Boxing Scotland, the second idea behind the series is "to generate interest in the sport from a competitive perspective; to get more people involved in boxing and also from a health and fitness perspective as boxing is a fantastic way for people to keep fit."

It is hoped that the Series will help to foster interest in people who do not necessarily wish to compete but who are nevertheless interested in boxing for its health and fitness benefits. This would ultimately boost audience figures at events and increase the general exposure and popularity of the sport.

Two international matches have already been held last December, with Scotland taking on cross-border rivals England on 11th December and then Sweden on 18th December.

The next two events will take place at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh. The first is against Wales on 15th January, where two top bouts will feature Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games boxers Aston Brown and Joe Ham, plus the first-ever Scottish international female clash.

This will be followed by Scotland v Northern Ireland on 22nd January with a top of the bill bout featuring Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medalist Josh Taylor.