Hopes to reform local boxing club

Black aims to follow in mentor's steps

TWENTY eight years ago, two young Chirnside men approached Eric Hunter asking if he could teach them how to box.
From this small enquiry, Chirnside Amateur Boxing Club was born, going on to produce a number of excellent young boxers.
Fast forward to 2008, and history looks to have repeated itself after ex-Chirnside boxer Michael Black - the last man to represent the Berwickshire club before its closure in January 2000 - was asked by two boys to restart the club.
And so that is the aim of this Sunday's open day at Chirnside's Community Centre, to reform a once famous club where Black and a number of Hunter's former pupils were taught all they know about one of the most basic but also most complicated of sports.
One of Black's motivation's for returning a boxing club to Chirnside is based on wanting to give youngsters the chance to learn the basics of boxing, much the same way he did when he first joined the club in 1987 as a ten-year-old.
The fact that Hunter passed away almost exactly two years ago is another factor behind the plans.
"Eric was dedicated to the sport and was an excellent coach. I remember that when you fought somewhere like Falkirk he would talk about the fight all the way home.
"He would video fights and show them to you three times, talking about where you went right and where you went wrong.
"I am just trying to give something back to the sport. It is one of the best methods of fitness, is a good body workout and teaches you discipline. To become a coach and watch kids improve would be brilliant," said Michael.
And if he can produce half the number of quality young boxers Hunter did, who was aided by coaches like Andy Winterbone and Ian Renton, Black may be onto something.
Not a bad fighter himself, Michael Black represented Scotland seven times, twice at senior level. His last fight saw him knocked down in a district fight in December 1999. The club suffered a similar but more fatal blow just a month later, when it folded with Black the last remaining boxer.
Yet, in its 20 year history, the club produced a number of well thought of boxers, including former national champion Vaughan Duff, who faced the current British, Commonwealth and European super featherweight champion Alex Arthur twice at amateur level.
Others included Murray Duff, Michael Blaikie, Martin Wood, Malcolm Renton and David Jeffrey, who was treasurer of the club when it closed.
All of these ex-boxers, along with Eric Hunter's son Ian, met with Michael Black to discuss reforming the club earlier this month.
"We had a meeting with mostly people with boxing connections. We decided there is no point going any further ahead unless we get some good numbers throughout the age groups.
"The open day will show whether it is worthwhile," added Michael.
Interest has already come from Berwick, where it is hoped Andrew Gibson, a former boxer at Chirnside and now trainer, will become involved in the club's resurrection.
Training will use the principles of Hunter's coaching - simple exercises such as skipping, punchbag work and footwork. No special yoga positions to improve flexibility or sports physiology which seems to have begun the norm among top athletes nowadays.
If training does start up again, a facility no longer available will be Chirnside's Drill Hall, now a second hand furniture store.
The hall was the venue reknown throughout Scotland for its boxing nights - thanks in part to the hospitality shown and luxurious buffets put on by Eric Hunter's wife Jean - but Michael Black hopes that Berwick could host some nights of the pugilist nature once the club has got its feet off the canvas.
"We had a good reputation - wherever we went to in Edinburgh, our nights were well spoken of. Great atomsphere, a good show and great food!"
The open day will take place this Sunday, March 30, at Chirnside's Community Centre at 2pm. It is open to everyone, including children over the ages of ten and upwards. Parents are also welcome and any questions will be answered.