Coatbridge boxing club The Barn have been left delighted by the performance of teenager Kieran Bergin at the 2021 Western District and Elite Youth Finals.
Bergin made his way to the final where he faced Luke McFadyean of Barrhead, who is a seasoned regular in elite competitions.
Barn’s boxer had only managed five fights before this daunting battle but still performed admirably during the showpiece event in Glasgow, eventually losing the Middleweight 75kg fight.
Coach Martyn Hetherston was pleased with the performance in the final, even if he did eventually lose out. He believes experience proved key.
Hetherston said: “It was a very good event for Kieran. He stopped a boy in the semi-final and then he got to the final, where he fought a Scottish international.
“He was twice British champion, five times he’s been Scottish champion and five times he’s Western District champion. Kieran’s only ever had five fights.
“When you come to these events, you have to take what you are given. He came up against Luke McFadyean and we told him in the first round just to feel his way about and get into the fight.
“He did very well but the other boy probably shaded the first round. Kieran really started coming into the occasion in the second round and let his own shots go. He was very comfortable but the second round was probably still a draw.
“I asked him before the third round if Luke was hurting him and he said he had fast hands, but wasn’t hurting him. So I told him to go for it for three minutes, put him on the back foot and hope to sneak it.
“So he went and did it. He was all over the guy and I thought we shaded the last round. Luke probably deserved to win it in the end, he’s an international fighter.”
Hetherston says the opposition camp came over to provide Bergin with some praise after an impressive bout.
And Hetherston says title glory will not be too far in the future if Kieran keeps going on his upward trajectory.
He added: “The trainer from Luke’s camp came over and was shocked that Kieran had only fought five fights. He said not once did he think he wasn’t in it against an international fighter.
“Even in the last round, he thought he came on strong. The whole hall was calling him wonderful and outstanding for the performance he put in.
“On the night he learned loads. He didn’t lose anything and up against a multiple champion and he will have learned a lot. He was outstanding.
“It was a great performance to take a multiple champion right to the wire, and I am glad other people were saying it too, so it wasn’t all just coming through Barn glasses.
“People were speaking to his mum and father too. People will be writing about him as a future champion shortly, trust me.”
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