BARRHEAD Amateur Boxing Club’s Gary Rae is set to make the step up to the professional ranks after some impressive recent form.

Rae won the Western District Championships for the third time last year, easily outpointing Darren Shannon of the Baron ABC in the final.

He dominated from the start by using his superior strength against the southpaw who by the end done well to stay clear of the strength of the Barrhead man.

However Rae’s strength went against him in the preparation for the elite Scottish title when he broke his hand sparring in preparation for a bout he was favoured to win.

After three months of preparation, Rae suffered the injury on the last day of sparring.

Nearing a return to full fitness, Rae was left cursing his luck again when he broke his other hand hitting the pads with his coach recently, connecting with the coach’s elbow.

He was scheduled to have his last amateur fight at Barrhead Amateur Boxing Club’s show on April 30 but will now go straight into the pro ranks.

Rae’s coach Mark Breslin said: “Gary’s hard hitting and un-natural strength will be better utilised in the paid ranks where power and strength over the longer rounds will suit him.

“Once he recovers we’ll start working on his technique for the step up to the pros.”

Meanwhile another club member has received international recognition, 30-year-old Stephen Jamieson has been called up to the Scotland team to fight for the British title at Ravenscraig in May.

The heavyweight recently went close to winning the Elite Heavyweight title of Scotland.

The Paisley man fought Raheet Samie Reekie from Romania of North Glasgow ABC in the semi-finals.

Jamieson came out victorious in a real battle to secure his place in the finals to fight for the prestigious heavyweight title.

His opponent in the finals was Scott Forrest, the nine-times Scottish champion who had won a silver medal at the world youth champions and also represented Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth games.

It wasn’t to be Jamieson’s night as the judges awarded Forrest the decision and his 10th Scottish title.

Coach Mark Breslin said: “I was really proud of what Stephen achieved that night and winning the silver medal at the elite heavyweight championships is an honour.

“Fighting for the British title will be the biggest fight of his career but he’s definitely up to the task.”

Barrhead Amateur Boxing Club are holding their 40th anniversary show in Barrhead Foundry on Saturday, April 30.

Tickets are priced at £15. It is set to be an all-action event with over 13 fights and exhibition bouts taking place.