NATIONAL champion Emma McCulloch admits she'll assess her options over her future direction in boxing.

The Lochgelly ring star said that it could be "time for a change in terms of tournaments" after a rollercoaster first half of 2018 saw her miss out on gold at the Haringey Box Cup last month.

Glenrothes Boxing Club member Emma, who was shortlisted for the Sporting Champion of the Year accolade at the Times Community Champion of the Year Awards, was beaten at the prestigious competition by Alexandra Richards, of Miguel's ABC, on a split decision.

Last week Emma's dad Alan, also a coach at Glenrothes, felt that she had done enough to win the bout but the 26-year-old remained philosophical, even though she believed she had produced a performance that was worthy of an elusive gold medal.

After her maiden appearance at the tournament – attended by around 400 boxers at the prestigious Alexandra Palace in London – was dashed in 2015 when she was left without an opponent, Emma won silver in 2016 before losing out in the quarter-finals 12 months ago.

Although determined to win in Haringey, the four-time Boxing Scotland Elite Championship women's light flyweight 48kg title winner, who controversially wasn't selected for April's Commonwealth Games, said: "For next season, I'm still uncertain of what's to come.

"I'll still be boxing but it might be time for a change in terms of tournaments etc.

"It was another enjoyable weekend (Haringey) and I can't seem to fault the way that the tournament is organised and run over the three days. Almost 400 boxers weighted in on the first day with five rings in operation - it's brilliant!

"It's just unfortunate that I didn't achieve the gold medal I was aiming for. There was initially five, including myself, entered into the A-class 48kg category, however one moved up a weight category, and another two pulled out altogether, leaving myself and one other to box a straight final.

"I boxed Alexandra Richards from London, and I was keen to box her as she is the only one out the group I hadn't boxed yet.

"She is a fairly tricky opponent, mostly because of her height advantage over me, but I feel I boxed well enough. In my opinion, and a few others, the first round was fairly close in which Alexandra probably edged it, however I did enough work in the second round, and definitely in the third, which I thought may have got me the win.

"It's always disappointing to be on the losing side but that's boxing."

She added: "Unfortunately, I just don't seem to have any luck at the Haringey Box Cup and miss out each other.

"On one hand, I feel like giving the tournament a miss in order to avoid disappointment but, on the other, I really want to keep trying until I eventually get that gold medal.

"It's a tournament I always look forward to so we will see next year again!"