LOCHGELLY boxer Emma McCulloch admits she is dreaming of the Commonwealth Games after winning her maiden national title on Saturday.

The 23-year-old made history as she became Boxing Scotland’s first female elite light flyweight champion by beating Lochend Boxing Club’s experienced Johanna Ryan on a split decision at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Centre in Motherwell.

It was her first Scottish senior elite bout since taking up the sport a year ago and although she admits that it still feels “a bit strange” to be referred to as a title holder, Emma told Times Sport that pulling on the gloves for Scotland in the Gold Coast in 2018 is something she has allowed herself to think about.

“I’m not sure what happens with Scotland just yet, although I know Boxing Scotland hold home shows and things,” she said.

“But that is the dream. I was talking to my dad about the Gold Coast and boxing for Scotland there would be a dream come true. But we’ll wait and see what happens.

“It feels a bit strange to have won but it’s sunk in now. I’d done so much training that I didn’t realise how big the title was, but I was a bit nervous in the last couple of weeks to be thrown into an elite fight for my first one. I was confident though because I knew how much training I’d done and I got there in the end.” Emma, who trains at Glenrothes Boxing Club alongside Kelty’s professional fighter Connor Law, started kickboxing at 12-years-old but after the class she attended was forced to be cancelled after its instructor suffered a serious car accident, she took up boxing to keep fit. It was there that the coaches noticed the talent that saw her graduate to a black belt first dan and she continued, “I was initially going to the ladies class for fitness but then I started to enjoy it more.

“I’ve always been into my fitness and sport and have been in a few kickboxing competitions, and when the coaches encouraged me to get more involved, I thought I’d give it a go. It’s been really good although when I went to the main class I got a bit of a shock with the fitness levels and intensity of it! But training with guys like Connor who’s a professional has been good as they are people to look up to.

“It’s literally been a case of blood, sweat and tears to get where I am and my family are so proud because they know how much work I’ve put in.” Proud dad Alan said, “In the run up to the fight she was training six days a week so I knew she was in tip top condition. She’s had to retrain with a different stance from kickboxing and it’s just a great achievement. She’s done very well.” Stevie McGuire, head coach at Glenrothes Boxing Club, added, “She is the first Scottish female flyweight champion since female boxing was introduced and now Emma will be called in to the Scotland squad for preparation for various European tournaments. She has done the club proud considering she has only been boxing for one year.”