Tyler Jolly, 17, fights out of Bravehearts in his hometown and had been training for the Commonwealth Youth Games for the past 12 months in training camps all across the UK.
He travelled to the city of Nassau in the Bahamas for the games last month as part of Boxing Scotland’s Youth Team, and his coach and uncle Tom Jolly was also there to witness his nephew’s crowning achievement.
Tom spoke about how Tyler knocked down the tall wiry Canadian Hamaz Khabbaz on his way to victory in the quarter-finals, and how he stopped Grenada’s championship boxer Rufus Vesprey in the semis before he met British champion Jacob Lovell in the final.
Describing the final round of the close encounter which went to the judges score-cards, Tom said: “The third and final round was at a blistering pace, with both boxer keen to impress the five ringside judges and the capacity crowd.
“Jolly stuck to his instructions, held his position firm in the centre of the ring and dictated the range, scoring with powerful jabs every time the Welshman charged forward with his combination of left and right hooks.
“The ebb and flow of punches from both boxers was a joy for the spectators who were all on their feet shouting and cheering on the champion.
“As the referee ended the bout and the judges score cards were collected, and a unanimous win to Scotland’s Tyler Jolly was awarded.”
Speaking about what the gold means to Bravehearts and Whithorn as a whole, Tom said: “This is an amazing achievement — our Bravehearts boxer winning a Commonwealth Youth gold medal out in the Bahamas. It fills us all with pride.
“Tyler has been training for over 12 months in a bid to win this medal.
“He always said he would bring the gold home and by God he did.
“Our wee town in Wigtownshire is shining gold tonight.”
