Viewpark ABC - Amateur Boxing Scotland

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Viewpark ABC
On Tuesday 6 th March 2012 Viewpark ABC took part in the new ABS feature
Club Focus. The Club Focus feature has been designed as a regular feature
for the ABS website, which will give everyone an insight into the various
clubs around the country, where they came from, some background on the
club, who is involved and how they operate. The visit also doubles up as an
opportunity to take the clubs through a development questionnaire and
highlight any areas where they might require assistance from Amateur
Boxing Scotland. ABS met with Viewpark ABC Secretary and Delegate, John
Cattigan to go through the development questionnaire before taking one of
the club coaches and a boxer through the Club Focus Questionnaire’s.
What’s your name and what is your role within the club?
Michael Murphy – Head Coach.
Where did the club get its name from?
The club is named after the local area where we are based.
Who founded the club and when?
I founded the club in 2004.
What was your first introduction to boxing?
I first went to Dalmarnock ABC when I was twenty-one years old to try it out, really
enjoyed it and went on to have a couple of contests for them.
How long have you been involved with the club and with amateur boxing?
I have been involved with boxing for over thirty years, around twenty three of those
years as a coach.
How did you first get into coaching?
My two boys Lawrence and Gerard were into boxing, so I coached them from when

they were young. I took them to the Barn ABC, where they boxed for a number of
years, before moving to Forgewood ABC for a couple few years.
What do you enjoy most about being a coach?
Watching young people and people in general progress, who come to the club,
improve, grow in confidence and some have even stopped being bullied just
through coming to boxing. It’s great to see how boxing can change people’s lives.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a boxing coach?
I used to be a Countryside Ranger, so I’d probably still be doing that.
How many registered boxers does the club currently have?
We have twelve registered boxers just now.
Is that number up or down from last season and why?
It is about the same, as some leave but others take their place. We have quite a
steady flow of boxers coming and going.
How can the club increase the number of registered boxers?
We could increase the number by just registering anyone who shows a slight
interest in competing, but that’s not really our style. We want to know they are
committed and it is definitely what they want to do.
What would you say your club does really well?
We instil discipline and promote mutual respect between the boxers and
coaches. Everyone trusts and respects each other in the club, and that helps
keep a really good atmosphere around the gym.
Is there anything you think the club could do better?
We would love to provide a minibus for taking our boxers to and from show
and championships.
What advice would you give to someone looking to open a new club?
You have to be prepared to dedicate a lot of time and effort to run a club.
Proper amateur boxing clubs are not for making money. They are about
producing boxers, champions and helping young ones progress in life.
What would you say is the most important factor for running a
successful club?
Commitment, dedication, mutual respect and a strong, efficient Committee,
which we are glad to have.
What is the most challenging part about being a coach and/or running a
boxing club

I don’t find any of it too difficult or demanding, as I really enjoy what I do at the
here.
Do you currently have any champions at the club at District, Scottish, GB or
other level?
We currently have David Sexton and Thomas Logan, who are the Western District
Champions and ABS Novice Champions.
Have any of the Club’s Boxers/former Boxers ever competed at a major
international event?
We have had Billy Cairns, Michael McGurk, David Sexton and Thomas Logan all
compete at big ABS events.
Can you recall one of your proudest/happiest moments as a coach?
When my two sons, Lawrence and Gerard both won Golden Gloves, gold medals
at the Golden Gloves Tournament in Dublin on the same night.
Who is your favourite boxer of all time and why?
Mohammad Ali – Just the type of man he was, his character, the good examples
and inspiration he gave to the world, his commitments in life like his faith, his strong
beliefs etc, he was a great man and an amazing athlete and boxer.
Club Focus interview with a Viewpark ABC registered boxer
What’s your name and how old are you?
Thomas Logan – I’m fourteen years old
How did you first get into boxing?
My Granddad was into boxing and mentioned I should put some of my excess
energy into boxing, so I went along to try it and I’m still here. My Dad also
encouraged me to take it up and I’m glad I did.
How long have you been boxing?
I have been at boxing for six years now, since I was eight years old.
How many contests have you had?
I’ve had twenty contests

How many times have you represented Scotland and who against?
I have boxed for Scotland twice in Home Internationals, once against England and
once against Wales.
Have you ever attended the Development Squad training and where was it
held?
Yes, I attend the weekly sessions at the Forgewood Gym
Would you say boxing has had a positive impact on your life and why?
Yes, it has really given me a lot more confidence and self-esteem.
What do you enjoy most about being a boxer?
I just love boxing, being in the ring, training and the competition. All of it really.
What is the worst/hardest thing about being a boxer?
The hardest part is the training to get to competition fitness, but I still enjoy it.
What would you be doing if you weren’t a boxer?
Probably roaming the streets, around where I live.
What do you see yourself doing in five/ten year’s time?
I’ll hopefully still be boxing, but at a much higher level. I’d like to see what I could
achieve in boxing and how far I can go.
Who is your favourite boxer of all time and why?
Joe Frazier, he was very quiet but was also very tough. I feel I am quite similar to
that.
If you could be any athlete in the world, ever, who would you want to be and
why?
Manny Pacquiao, because of his style of boxing, his fitness levels, hand speed,
agility and he has obviously made a good living out of boxing, so I wouldn’t mind a
piece of that.
Thank you to John Cattigan, Mick Murphy and Thomas Logan of Viewpark
ABC for taking part in the ABS Club Focus feature.