Scottish boxer Kernachan looks to take next step to Commonwealth qualificiation

07 December 2016 01:08

Motherwell boxer Stephanie Kernachan is hoping to take a further step towards qualification for the 2018 Commonwealth Games by defending her GB Championship title in Sheffield on Thursday.

The 23-year-old became the first Scottish female boxer to win a GB Elite title last year and believes a recent breakthrough within her governing body can help to build a strong Scottish female team to go to the Gold Coast.

Kernachan was one of a number of prominent boxers who accused Boxing Scotland of sex discrimination in 2014 after it failed to pick a single female fighter to go to its home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

But subsequent changes, including the incorporation of female fighters on to Boxing Scotland's performance programme, have seen a number of prospective candidates emerging, led by Kernachan, who faces England's Ramla Ali for the 54kg title.

Kernachan told Press Association Sport: "Last year was the first year we started sending senior women to major competitions and we have started to bring back a number of medals.

"We are now able to access all the benefits of the performance programme which is a huge advantage, and I think the amount of time and effort we are putting in is really starting to turn a few heads."

Unlike her Team GB counterparts, Kernachan is a part-time boxer and must juggle training commitments with her job working in a residential school with disadvantaged young people, ongoing study for an HND in social services, and driving lessons.

She added: "It's been a difficult year trying to fit it all in, but I'm used to overcoming setbacks and it is all about getting as much experience as I can with the goal of the Commonwealth Games.

"Scottish amateur boxing is on a high right now. We have two boxers on the GB development programme and Willie Hutchison who has just won a world youth title. Hopefully more success can soon follow for the females too."

John Docherty - one of those Scottish boxers on the GB programme - faces England's Lewis Richardson at 75kg while Birtley's Calum French takes on Cory Oregan at 60kg.

Source: PA