A LOCHGELLY youngster has proven that boxing talent runs within the family after medalling at a high profile competition.

Harris Folks, 14, travelled to Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, last weekend to compete in the Boxing Scotland Eastern District Development Schools and Junior Championships, and returned with a silver gong.

The Lochgelly High School pupil, who is a member of Glenrothes Boxing Club, got the better of Tony McInley, of Fauldhouse Boxing Club, in his 2008 56kg A0-3 semi-final, before narrowly losing out to Midlothian Boxing Club’s Lewis Findlay by a split decision.

It was just a fifth bout since picking up the sport two years ago for Harris, whose auntie, Emma McCulloch, became Fife’s first female professional boxer after stepping up from the amateur ranks in 2019, having won four Boxing Scotland Elite Championship titles, and being ranked number one in both Britain and the Commonwealth.

Emma’s dad, Allan, is Harris’ grandad, and he told Times Sport: “In the semi-final on the Saturday, he beat a lad from Fauldhouse, and in the final it was a split decision and he won a silver medal.

“It was one of those fights that was a really hard fight. They were so evenly matched, and traded blow for blow; it was really close.

“If Harris had got gold, nobody could have argued, if the laddie from Midlothian had won, nobody could have argued.

“It was only his fifth bout. He’s just starting out and he is a determined young man.”

Harris headed south to Newcastle for a training camp the weekend prior to the Eastern District competition, for which he dropped around 4kg to compete in the 56kg category, instead of an open class at what Allan described as his natural boxing weight, which would have contained far more experienced competitors.

“He started in the kids class at the club first when he was 10 or 11. We took him over, and he started to progress, and then moved up the seniors class.

"After a year there, we got him registered as he was ready to box,” Allan continued.

“He loves the boxing. He looks up to his auntie Emma. At that age, it gives him a purpose.”