A GIFTED Stevenston boxer is celebrating two major successes inside a fortnight.
Brooke Neely (12), an S1 pupil at St Matthew's Academy, won the 46kg schoolgirls title at the Western District Boxing Championships in 46kg at Ashgill Recreation Centre in Glasgow on February 24.
Brooke defeated Alana Toal, after stopping her opponent in the third round.
The Irvine Vineburgh Boxing Club member followed that up two weeks later by winning the Scottish schoolgirl 46kg title in the Scottish Championships at Ravenscraig Sports Centre.
In that final, she defeated Madison Clarkson of Sparta Boxing Club in a unanimous decision after dominating the three three-and-a-half minute rounds competition.
Late last year Brooke, who does her training at the High Performance Centre in Glasgow, won the Scottish Novice Championships at Ravenscraig.
Proud dad Martin said: "Brooke has been boxing since she was nine and has done well, I am really pleased for her. She is the only girl in the gym at Irvine Vineburgh. Her brother Logan got her into it but he doesn't box now. She enjoys it, is really dedicated and trains four or five times a week. She is now gearing up for the British Championships in July and hopes to be involved in the European Championships.
"Women's boxing is much more popular now with the likes of Katie Taylor bringing it into the limelight.
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