HISTORY was made in Cardenden last Saturday night when an all-female boxing show was held for the first time in Scotland.

Bowhill Miners Amateur Boxing Club, based within Bowhill Community Centre, Station Road, hosted the event in conjunction with Doonhamers Amateur Boxing Club.

A total of 16 bouts took place on the night, which was headlined by EUBC (European Boxing Confederation) European Junior Championship winner, Niamh Mitchell, and featured boxers from Scotland, England and Canada's Brantford Black Eye Boxing Club, based in Ontario.

Niamh, who became the first female to win gold for Scotland at a major international competition when she won the 52kg light bantamweight title in October, moved up to 57kg for her bout with Canada's Kelsee McPhee and produced a fine performance to secure victory by unanimous decision.

Bowhill coach, James White, was thrilled with how the event went, commenting: "It was a busy night, but it was worth it in the end. It was a great show.

"We had 14 fights and a couple of exhibitions, and there was quite a fair bit of talent. It exceeded my expectations, and has shown where it's come from over the last 10 years. It's a different game, the female side of it, and in 10 years from now, it should be flying.

"Niamh was outstanding. She makes it look easy, but it's nothing like it. A lot of hard work goes in to what she does."

White also revealed that the parents of Brantford head coach, Jackie Armour, had emigrated to Ontario in 1957 from the West Fife village of Valleyfield and, after seeing it referenced in relation to Niamh's European victory - she was previously a member there, alongside her coaches - the wheels began to set in motion for him to realise a "lifelong dream" to bring a team of boxers with him to his homeland.

Niamh noted: "I don't think there has ever been a show like this. I hope that it inspires young girls coming through.

“It would be good for more girls to come through and prove what they can actually do.”