Irvine boxer Matthew McDonald made history on Saturday as he was crowned the Scottish Elite Welterweight champion.
The 22-year-old defeated highly-rated Aurel Szilagyi by split decision to became the first fighter from the town to win a senior/elite amateur title since former world champion Paul Weir achieved the feat in 1991.
His triumph at Ravenscraig Sports Facility also marked a first for Irvine Vineburgh Boxing Club, where he took up the sport just four-and-a-half years ago after ditching football.
Matthew, from Girdle Toll, will now be assessed by the Scotland team as he looks to take his career to the next level.
And proud Vineburgh coach Alec Mullen reckons the sky is the limit for the young, unassuming fighter dubbed ‘The Quiet Man.'
He firmly believes Matthew can hit the heady heights of the Commonwealth Games.
Alec said: "I told Matthew before the fight, ‘win this and it’s only the start of your career’.
“He now has his assessment with the Scotland team to look forward to and fighting at the Commonwealth Games is something he can definitely go on to achieve in my mind.
“His attitude is second to none. He’s fully committed to his boxing and he’s a fitness fanatic. If truth be told he does too much – I’ve actually got to hold him back at times for his own good.
“What Matthew has achieved is fantastic. He packed in football at 17 and took up boxing and I’ve never had a boy start at that age and go on to win titles.
“He’s had 23 bouts in the four-and-a half-years since but bare in mind 18 months of that was spent during lockdown when he couldn’t do anything.
“He had to spend a bit of time getting back into shape but his dedication is absolutey first class. He took a week off his work just to give himself the best chance and it paid off.
“It couldn’t happen to a nicer lad. If you met him, you’d never guess he was a boxer. He’s just a big quiet lad who goes about his business in the right way.”
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