Season 2021/2022 Round Up
A round up of our season comeback!
Our 2021/22 Season opener was originally intended for September 2021, however ongoing Covid restrictions meant our members had to wait until ‘Friday Fight Night’ in November. We returned to action with a stacked 5 fight card, with three pro debutants joining Scott Allan and our new signing, Jack Turner on the bill. Former World Champion and fan-favourite, Anthony Crolla took the centre spot of the top table as our Guest of Honour to watch as Kaiden Mcguire cruised to a victory in the opening bout; Cassidy Todd became the first female boxer to fight under the St Andrews Sporting Club banner; Martin Crossan featured against a fellow debutant and the pair put on an all action four-round contest; While Scott and Jack returned to winning ways after both having lengthy times away from the ring.
Due to a rise in Covid cases throughout the UK, The British Boxing Board of Control made the decision to suspend all boxing events in the month of January, meaning our usual Burns Night celebrations couldn’t go ahead in normal time but we couldn’t let our members miss out on our flagship evening, so we made the decision to postpone our ‘Toasting the Bard’ until February. Members and Guests were treated to a night of Burns traditions, Sanjeev Kholi as our Guest of Honour and added entertainment with Al Foran performing some of his trademark impersonations before the boxing. Josh Campbell opened the night with his second professional win; Although our boxer didn’t get the decision – spectators enjoyed the back and forth contest between Andy Tham and Sandeep Singh Bhatti; while Martin Harkin rounded up a fantastic evening with a statement right hand ending his fight in the third round.
Despite us now approaching our 50th year, you wouldn’t believe Ricky Burns hadn’t been to a St Andrew’s Sporting Club event, so we were delighted to bring the Three Weight World Champion to the top table as our Guest of Honour in March. He enjoyed the fights featuring our prospects; Michael McCrone kicked off the evening and his pro career with a points win; Josh Sandford beat fellow undefeated prospect Mark Butler; while Bobby Morrell dropped his opponent twice before picking up a points win in his pro debut.
This season brought the unfortunate news that our bantamweight star, Kash Farooq would have to retire from professional boxing. In April, we were delighted to host a Testimonial Fight Night to celebrate the career of Kash, with the man himself being the nights Guest of Honour. It was a star-studded affair with Matchroom Boxing filming a highlight video for their socials and boxers such as former foe - Lee Mcgregor and Undisputed World Champion, Josh Taylor coming out to support the evening. Kash delivered our members some incredible nights in the same Radisson Blu ring, he would now watch on from the top table as prospect Martin Crossan put on a dominant performance to move 3-0; Kash’s first signing since becoming ‘Head of Talent’, Lekan Obiora beat former Scottish Champion, Marek Laskowski; and Grant Quigley returned to the ring after a 5 year hiatus with a devastating knockout win over Luis Palmer in the 5th round. Unfortunately the night turned from celebration to concern as Luis was rushed to hospital, however we are delighted to confirm he is well on the road to recovery.
Boxing’s latest OTT platform, Fightzone were keen to join and film our End of Season Finale with former World Champion, Glenn McCrory proving versatile, moving from top table as Guest of Honour to ringside commentator for the evenings bouts where Michael McCrone impressed in his four round points win, Josh Sandford won another entertaining contest to move to 3-0 and Bobby Morrell rounded up the evening (and Season) treating fans to three knockdowns and an exciting stoppage win in the 2nd round.
New Signings
This season saw a record number of new signings at the club including Josh Sandford, Josh Campbell and Ahmed Mweva in September. In January, Michael McCrone and Bobby Morrell joined the stable, followed by Lekan Obiora bringing our end of season stable total to 20 and growing.