Young seeks resurrection while Anderson looks south for help by Tom Walker Jul 12th 2007

Boxing north of the border which was a relative high a couple of years ago, seems to have languished a bit in the doldrums of late, with the demise of ex world champion Scott Harrison and a dearth of meaningful fights for some of Caledonia's best pugilists. Could the two be linked? Mmmm! I wonder, or am I just cynical in my old age? In any event, Scotland's own promoters are trying to do their best for their charges. Gary Young has now joined up with Barry Hughes' Braveheart Promotions in an attempt to resurrect his once burgeoning career, and will make his first appearance under this banner in Paisley's Lagoon Leisure Centre on the 14th of September. With only one bout in a year, Gary has some catching up to do on his potential opponents. He does have an impressive 16 wins (8 early) and only a single defeat to Colin McNeil from a 17 fight slate. Having said that, the defeat itself was a heavy one which caused some to think that he didn't have a chin when he went spark out from the shot from McNeil, having taken an 8 count immediately before. Young doesn't subscribe to this, saying; “People have questioned whether I can take a punch after the McNeil fight, but if my chin is as fragile as some people have made out then I wouldn't have been able to get up from the first knockdown.” There is no doubt in Young's mind that Braveheart are the company which will get him back on track. He added: “I'm delighted to have a Scottish manager, who can relate to his boxers and that I will be able to fight on both Braveheart Promotions' and Sports Network's shows." Meanwhile fellow Edinburgh boxer and Commonwealth gold medallist Kenny Anderson has been gearing up for only his third professional contest by sparring former WBU and current British light-heavyweight champion Tony Oakey of Portsmouth. Anderson, who has stopped Nick Okoth and Jorge Gomez in his two bouts thus far, will meet Sheffield's Dean Walker at the Cardiff International Arena on July 21. Super-middleweight Anderson's manager Barry Hughes has ensured that his charge wants for nothing during his preparations by securing top-class sparring in Portsmouth's Oakey, who has a record of 24-2. Oakey said: “Kenny's shocked me a bit with his strength and accuracy – you can tell by the black eye (Tony Oakey is sporting a shiner) that he's given me a few whacks." Oakey – currently preparing for the first defence of his Lonsdale belt against Belfast's Brian Magee - is convinced that Anderson will be a champion in the near future. He (Oakey) added: “I think he's got all the attributes to be a great boxer. It's all in his hands, he's got a great team behind him and I don't see any reason why he won't challenge for titles within the next few years.” Anderson, 24, is looking to fight on a more regular basis after a series of cancellations earlier in the year, meant he had to wait six months between his debut last October against Okoth and his bout with Gomez in April. Braveheart Promotions boss Hughes said: “Braveheart brought Tony up to Scotland to get some quality sparring which will bring Kenny on and push him forward.”

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