Following the draw Team Scotland’s boxers now know their first-round opponents at Gold Coast 2018, with the competition to be held at Oxenford Studios. Scotland has an impressive record in Boxing at the Commonwealth Games, with athletes winning medals at every Games since its inception in 1930.
Three athletes who competed at Glasgow 2014 return to the ring for Scotland. Flyweight, Reece McFadden, who wowed crowds on his way to a bronze medal four years ago faces Keevin Allicock of Guyana in the first round. Scott Forrest, Heavyweight returns against Elly Ocholla (Kenya), while Light Flyweight Aqeel Ahmed has a bye.
Two 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallists – John Docherty (Middleweight) and Sean Lazzerini (Light-Heavyweight) – make the step up to the senior Games in the Gold Coast. John has been drawn against Mauritius’ Jean Alberte; while Sean is the only fighter in the ring on the first day of competition, starting his Games against Australian Clay Waterman.
Scotland’s first female boxers at a Commonwealth Games will take to the ring with Featherweight Victoria Glover facing Valerian Spicer of Dominica and Light-Flyweight Megan Gordon facing India’s MC Mery Kom.
Mitchell Barton, the Super Heavyweight faces Patrick Mailata of New Zealand, before Nate Collins takes on Colan Caleb of Nauru in the Lightweight division. Light Welterweight Robbie McKechnie has been drawn against Thomas Blumenfeld of Canada.
Making his Commonwealth Games debut, Welterweight Stephen Newns will take on John Moleni of Tonga and is looking forward to getting into the ring.
“We have had our heads down, focusing on training and we know we did really well,” he said. “Everyone’s looking really fit and ready to compete and do the country proud.
“I will be the first boxer from Scotland to compete in these Games so I’ll be looking to make a positive start for the team and my country. All the preparation for the big stage is done, now it’s time to get down to business.”
All preliminary round fights take place between 5 and 9 April.