LOCAL boxers have been improving the reputation of the Deveron Amateur Boxing Club in junior championships held in March and April across Scotland.

First in action in early March was Daryn Bruce (16), who travelled to Lasswade, south of Edinburgh, to take part in a final eliminator for the Scottish Lightweight title.

His opponent was Kevin McEvoy (17) from the Gilcomston club in Edinburgh.

The first two rounds were very frustrating for Bruce, with McEvoy's very good movement causing him problems getting his shots off.

Bruce and coach Walter Bruce worked out a new plan for the third round which went much better and Bruce possibly just shaded it.

When the result was announced, the verdict went to McEvoy by 5-2, with his early work being the difference between the two.

The result looked even better when McEvoy stopped his opponent in the second round in the final at Airdrie two weeks later.

Three weeks later, the two other Bruce brothers, Danny (12) and Aidan (14) travelled back to Lasswade, where they had both made the finals at their respective weights.

Danny had to ply his trade against the very versatile Fraser Gorn (12) from Kelty ABC for the Light Flyweight title.

Although similar weights, Gorn enjoyed a huge height advantage which he began using to good effect.

Danny was finding it difficult getting inside the long reach and when he did find his way in, Gorn quickly got out of the danger zone. All three rounds followed a similar pattern, with Danny trying his hardest to break Gorn down, and Gorn jabbing and moving.

When the final bell went, coaches Walter Bruce, Neil Gauld and mum Mandy all looked at each other, knowing it had just slipped from Danny's grasp.

After a valiant effort, all five judges gave it to Gorn. This proved to be a good learning curve for Danny as he came out of it a hungrier boxer.

After their exploits in the Scottish Novice Championships in December, Aidan Bruce was again pitched against his old adversary George Flannagan (14) from the Kelty ABC contesting the Featherweight Title.

Not only had they already fought each other, but Flannagan spends half the season training at the Deveron Club, so they knew each other very well.

With Flannagan taking the spoils in the previous encounter, Aidan was very keen to gain revenge. The first round became a very tactical affair, with both vying for position waiting for the gaps to appear.

With Flannagan having an awkward southpaw counterpunching style, he was very difficult to attack.

After an even first round, the bout opened up a bit in the second with both corners ordering their lads to be more positive.

By this time the crowd were warming up to enjoy what was becoming a very good bout.

Flannagan had a very large contingent with him who tried to drown out Neil, Mandy and Danny – but found that a tough contest too!

Going into the third, the general consensus was that Flannagan was just in front but nobody would commit themselves with any confidence. During the third, Aidan began to get the upper hand with his superior fitness, with Flannagan visibly tiring.

At this point, the referee unfortunately began to have an influence. Aidan had Flannagan in trouble on the ropes when the ref stepped in to stop the bout to wipe Flannagan's nose, which was only a trickle.

This gave him a valuable breather which he was very grateful for. Right from the restart, Aidan went in fast and hard to keep the pressure on with some degree of success.

Once again however the ref stepped in to give Flannagan's nose another wipe even though there was no evidence of any treatment required.

The twenty second break did Aidan's impetus no good at all. With time running out, Aidan went on one final flurry, only for the final bell to sound.

There was to be disappointment, as Flannagan got the verdict with a split decision from the judges.

With all the hostilities over however, all the Deveron and Kelty contingent got together to have a good bantered discussion about the fight.

Neil Gauld said: "This is how it should be in boxing. We have a very good relationship with the Kelty club and we will welcome Flannagan back to the club when he gets back up at the end of April.

"Although both lads lost, it was still a success for us getting two silver medals in the National Championships.

Both lads were delighted to be presented with their medal by the legendary Dick McTaggert, who won Olympic gold in 1956 winning the boxer of the tournament in the process".

Next on the agenda was the District Championships in Aberdeen on April 5.

All three Bruce brothers were to be competing in finals for the titles, but there was to be a twist in the tail.

Daryn's opponent from the Granite City ABC was pulled out by his club as they didn't fancy pitching their boxer in with him. The same fate was to befall Aidan, whose opponent from the Wellmeadow ABC in Blairgowrie was also pulled out for the same reason.

Gauld said: "This is very disappointing as not only did it mean they were denied the chance of winning a title, it meant that the team were severely depleted in trying to win the top club award for the third year running.

"We have to respect the decisions of the respective clubs, as they had the safety of the lads foremost in their minds".

Danny did get an opponent who wanted to take his chance in the form of Clay Davidson (12) from the Kincorth ABC in Aberdeen. Those who attended the show in Macduff in February may remember him from that night.

Again, as in nearly all of Danny's bouts, he was up against a much taller lad, but with the experience gained in the Scottish final, he was better prepared for this one.

Coach Walter Bruce put him out with the instructions to put in more effort than he did in his previous bout, and to get inside and get his shots into the body as well as over the top.

It was a very confident display in the first round, with Danny taking most of Clay's shots on the arms, then getting inside to do his best work.

The second and third were identical and as the bell sounded coach Walter was pouring with sweat as he had been throwing most of the punches along with Danny.

There was elation all round when the judges gave Danny the verdict by a comfortable score of 6-3. That makes it a hat-trick of titles for the Bruces, with Aidan and Daryn winning titles last year.