Despite only having started boxing five years ago, Ross Henderson is looking forward to what would be his second Commonwealth Games in July. Between the 2010 Games in Delhi and now, the Super Heavyweight has developed as a fighter and goes into this week’s Scottish Championships, and the Glasgow Games, full of confidence.

Ross says: “Delhi was my first big competition and to be fair I was a relative novice at that stage. In the lead up to Glasgow I have matured a lot, worked really hard in the gym and to look back on that experience in 2010 I do know what to expect.

“I’ve been to some of the biggest competitions in the world and to some of it is about belief and knowing I belong at that level. I took a lot out of the World Championships in Kazakhstan and was happy with my performance. Boxing Scotland need to be given a lot of credit for the tournaments we have been sent to this past couple of years. They have been truly world-class and it is great preparation.”

This Friday (28 March) Scotland’s top amateur boxers will come together for the Boxing Scotland Championships at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. With final selections for Glasgow 2014 on the horizon, the Championships present a number of fighters with a vital chance to make a final push for a place on the team.

“The Championships last year were brilliant and a huge step up from what we’ve seen before, but this year Boxing Scotland have taken it to a whole other level”, says Ross. “Seeing thousands of people in that venue will be incredible. I’m feeling good about my fight on Friday. I’ve boxed world-class fighters and I know how to adapt to deal with anything – nothing fazes me now.

“There’s a huge amount of potential for the Championships, which shows the current state of boxing in Scotland. Looking ahead to the Games we’re going to have some really strong fighters who don’t even make the team. We’ve never had so much quality, and we’re all fighting for a place which will make the Championships that extra bit more special.”

After the final selections are made for Team Scotland, the boxers will go into an intensive training period in the lead up to the Games. Staying fit and sharp is key for the squad, and Ross is focused on his aspirations for the Games.

“I want to medal”, he says. “It’s going to be hard, but you want to go for gold. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am and if you could offer me a medal now I’d take it, but the minute you get to that semi-final bout you have your mind set on gold. The crowd in Glasgow is going to be massive and that can have a big influence on a bout. What a buzz it will be!”

You can follow Ross on Twitter: @RossHenderson87

Tickets for the Boxing Scotland Championships are available here: www.boxingscotland.org/

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