Halfway's Phoenix Thai Boxing Club triumph in Manchester

Nov 4 2009 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

HALFWAY’S Phoenix Thai Boxing Club had a trip south of the border recently, taking two of their fighters to compete in Master A's Amazing Muay Thai show in the Middleton arena in Manchester.

Making the trip were 16 -year-old Amy Pirnie, in her third adult fight, and seasoned campaigner Keith McLachlan from Croftfoot in his first outing, as a Phoenix fighter.

Both fighters performed exceptionally well with Amy stopping her opponent, who seemed to underestimate her young age and slight build, in the second round, showing that you should never judge a book by its cover.

Keith, on the other hand, had to wait a little longer for his victory against a tough opponent who kept coming at him, but Keith constantly kept on top, outscoring his rival and making a good tactical fight work in his favour, the referee calling a halt to the proceedings in the final round to save his opponent any further punishment.

Both fighters are a credit to the club.

Amy fought again the next weekend in Galashiels, as well as young Scot Ferguson from the Circuit.

Twelve-year-old Scot, a relative newcomer to the ring, was in only his second fight, and he overwhelmed his opponent, showing superiority, scoring well at the distance and proved too strong in the clinch, his opponent receiving an eight count at the end of the second and refusing to come out for the third.

Amy had her toughest test to date having to go the distance with her far more experienced opponent to win comfortably on a unanimous points decision.

She will now have a couple of weeks rest from the ring, although still training hard before travelling to Thailand to represent Scotland in the World Championships.