Kinross ref is boxing clever at the Olympics

Apr 4 2008

A PATRIOTIC Big County boxer-turned-referee has landed the chance to oversee Olympic qualifiers this week, writes Andrew Welsh.

Kinross-based fight guru Andy Caulfield, who is secretary of the town’s highly-rated youth academy, has been selected to perform his own form of national service in Athens, Greece.

Proud ex-contender Caulfield, who will act as Great Britain’s man-in-the-middle at the final European preliminaries being held ahead of this year’s extravaganza in China and Hong Kong, told PA Sport the experience will be one of the highlights of his glittering career.

“I refereed for the whole week at the last tournament in Italy,” said Big Andy yesterday. “I was the only official from Britain to qualify for the Italian finals.”

The popular former Scottish international hitman competed in qualifiers ahead of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

“To go back as a referee is a totally different experience altogether,” said the painter to trade.

“But I am just as proud knowing I will still be there on the last day of the finals.”

Caulfield’s latest recognition caps a successful period for the Kinross fight fraternity.

Heading the club’s recent achievement list is light heavyweight David Nelson (18), who made his mark at the British Universities Championship in Sheffield, despite his final opponent withdrawing injured.

“David’s got a lot of promise,” enthused Caulfield.

“Most of the finalist were rugged competitors but he’s a good stand-up technical boxer, which Scotland lacks at the moment.

Another Kinross pugilist currently making his mark is Ryan Warden, who battled his way to the finals of the 54kg bantamweight class in the Scottish junior championships, which were staged within the tough environs of Airdrie Town Hall.

TICKETS for the Kinross club’s annual gala dinner on May 9 have gone on sale at the Windelstrae Hotel.

In a change to previous arrangements, a squad from the local fighters’ old rivals Bolton Lads Club will provide the opposition, after a planned Australian visit was put back to November.

The Kinross youngsters will also be showing their skills at the City of Manchester stadium in late May, with undefeated light welterweight world champion Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton expected to be present.