TWO debutants have packed a punch by earning wins for Dunfermline Boxing Club – despite having been moved out of their base.

James Travers and Sandy Stewart both claimed fine victories in their respective bows for the club on the road to begin the new season in fine style.

Head coach Dany Coll is preparing to enter several of his up-and-coming fighters in November’s Boxing Scotland Novice Championships even though they have been forced to train away from their purpose-built gym at Woodmill High School.

After they had to find an alternative to their previous home, at Halbeath Community Centre, the facility at the school – providing them access to the sports hall and strength and conditioning equipment – was opened in March. But, following last month’s devastating fire at Woodmill, the boxing club have had to relocate to Queen Anne High School for training. Coll hopes they will be allowed to return what he previously described as “the best facility we’ve ever had” in January.

And, even though they don’t have a ring or bags to train with, he says youngsters like Travers and Stewart are taking it in their stride.

“None of our equipment was touched by the fire, so we are lucky in that respect,” Coll commented.

“We’ve got two holdalls with headguards, gloves and skipping ropes but other clubs across Scotland have been brilliant.

“We’ve had offers of help, we’ve been away sparring and they’ve been trying to get us on their shows. We’re still out there grafting away.

“The boxers are just getting on with it and they are keeping us going.”

“I’ve been told January is when we’ll be back at Woodmill but we are still out there and competing. We’ve got a good team of novices there, so we need to just keep plugging away.”

He continued: “James Travers made his debut against Shay Scott, of Renfrewshire, on his home show, and won every round.

“He’s one of three Travers brothers that are boxing at the club, and a lot of other coaches, and members of the crowd, were saying what a good prospect he is.

“He then fought at the MacTaggart Scott show in Edinburgh, and won again unanimously against the home boxer, and Sandy Stewart made his debut for the club.

“He hasn’t boxed for a year but moved to the area and joined the club. He was up against the current Eastern District champion and beat him on points.

“We got a last-minute call asking if we had anyone who could step in for one of their main fights, so Sandy only had about 10 hours’ notice!

“I think we’ve won 10 of the last 12 fights we’ve had, so we must be doing something right, and we have a strong coaching team.”