Professional boxing back in Kirkcaldy after 53-years
By STEPHEN HALLIDAY
The Scotsman
Thu 19 May 2005
PROFESSIONAL boxing will return to Fife for the first time in more
than half a century when Kevin Anderson attempts to win the IBO
Intercontinental welterweight title next month.
The 22-year-old Buckhaven boxer, who has won all 13 of his contests
since turning pro just over two years ago, faces the vastly more
experienced Ukrainian Vladimir Borovski at the Fife Ice Arena in
Kirkcaldy on 11 June in what is a nostalgic occasion for the Scot’s
manager and promoter Tommy Gilmour.
Not since Jim Gilmour, his grandfather, promoted fights at the same
venue, formerly known as the Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, has professional
boxing been staged in the area, with the last bill on record taking
place in 1952. Such is the level of local interest in the progress of
Anderson, however, that Gilmour is hoping for close to a remarkable
2,500 sell-out next month for a show which will not be televised.
“Kevin is the most exciting young prospect we have in Scotland and
it’s terrific that he finally has the chance to fight in front of
his home public,” said Gilmour. “If this show is a success, and the
early indications are that it will be, then there is no reason why we
can’t promote regularly in Fife and hopefully deliver a major title
fight for Kevin on his own patch.”
Guest of honour at the bill, which will also see unbeaten Kirkcaldy
light-heavyweight Steven McGuire in international action against
Varuzhan Davtyan of Armenia, will be 85-year-old former middleweight
luminary Jim Gallacher, who appeared on the last show at the ice rink
53 years ago.
“It was a famous boxing venue once,” added Gilmour, “and the people
in charge of the arena now are keen to bring the sport back on a
regular basis. It’s nice for me to be following in my grandfather’s
promotional footsteps.”
Anderson, who has appeared on undercards from Altrinchan to Nottingham
in his career so far, is understandably thrilled at the prospect of
headlining the show in the town of his birth.
“I’ll shift a lot of tickets for this show and so will Stevie,” he
said. “I’ve had a travelling support of around 300 when I’ve fought
in Glasgow, so I’ve no doubts there will be a huge crowd in Kirkcaldy
on a Saturday night.”