Burnside teenager picks up boxing award

Nov 18 2009 by Douglas Dickie, Rutherglen Reformer

A BURNSIDE teenager has picked up a prestigious award after a successful year in the boxing ring.

Hugh Gray (16), a member of the Glasgow Pheonix Club, was presented with the Peter Moore Memorial Gold Cup last week after proving himself one of the top fighters throughout the past 12 months.

The trophy was presented to the club by former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison, who had been a friend of Cambuslang man Peter Moore since his youth.

Hugh was a worthy winner, having won the Scottish Novice title and the Western District title.

Under the watchful eye of coach Pat Mallon, he also enjoyed international success when he defeated two Russians to win gold at the Tampere Tournament in Finland.

Hugh picked up his trophy from John McGuinness, a judo and fitness coach who is based at Pheonix.

Scott’s dad, Peter, said Hugh would have impressed the man whose name adorns the trophy: “Peter would have been a big fan of Hugh because he has the same style as Scott. Peter was a big fan and friend to Scott.

“Hugh has his eyes set on winning gold in Glasgow in 2014.”

Peter Moore, who died in 2001 at the age of 62, was the Western District secretary and the secretary of the Glasgow Transport ABC, where Scott Harrison trained as a youth.

A local of Cambuslang, he was a regular in the Black Bull, where the cup has been on display since its creation in 2006.

Peter Harrison added: “Peter Moore was a huge loss to amateur boxing. He had a love of the sport and was always positive.

“Nothing was ever a problem to him.”

It was an emotional night all round for the Glasgow Pheonix, which is moving from its Dalmarnock base to new premises nearby as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area.

According to Peter, there continues to be a big Rutherglen and Cambuslang presence at the club, with another promising youth casting an eye towards the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

He said: “Gordon McCorry has recently moved to the Pheonix.

“He is busy training for the Western District Championship and he is another boxer who has his eyes fixed on the Commonwealth Games.”