Latest news with #FrancesHeath
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Frances launches pro boxing career with win
Edinburgh boxer Frances Heath launched her professional career with a unanimous points win over Argentinian opponent Naila Pelosorivero in Glasgow. A former British junior silver medallist as an amateur, Frances, 21, had to concede four kilos above the agreed flyweight category in which the six round bout would take place. The Argentinian was a late replacement for a scheduled Hungarian opponent and Frances said: 'My coaches had a discussion and decided it would be ok to go ahead with the fight.' Effectively Frances stepped up two divisions. She added: 'I'm glad they said ok as it could not have gone any better for me against a much more experienced opponent (Naila was having her 11th contest). 'Giving away weight I had to rely on boxing ability and it served me well.' A Pupil Support Assistant at James Gillespie's High who hopes to become a PE teacher, Craigmillar-based Frances said staff and pupils alike had now become aware of her ringcraft. 'There's no hiding it from the kids now that I am a boxer – but having enjoyed the experience on my debut in front of a lot more followers from Edinburgh that I could have imagined I can't wait to get back in the ring' she said. Frances with trainer Kenny McCartney from Craigmillar Boxing Club Frances Heath – up and running as a professional boxer Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Pro debut looms for capital boxer Frances
Craigmillar boxer Frances Heath is counting down the days until she kick-starts a professional ring career. The pupil support assistant at James Gillespie's HS has signed up with the pro management team of Sam Kynoch and Robbie Flynn and will make a debut against a Hungarian opponent at Glasgow's Hilton Hotel on May 17. Frances, 21, who started out at the Leith Victoria club but will now be trained by Kenny McCartney at the Craigmillar gym, says: 'It is my ambition to go all the way to world champion having been inspired by the likes of Katie Taylor and Nicola Adams. 'I was a footballer at Edina Hibs but my dad (Frankie) got me more interested in boxing. 'In my 15 amateur contests I have been ranked No 2 in Great Britain and competed for Scotland in the Tri Nations competition in Cardiff picking up a silver medal. 'I've also attended a training camp at the English Institute of Sport, travelling because of the lack of opposition here. 'Not many people will realise just how hard it is to compete in a male dominated sport and most of my contests have been exhibitions due to a shortage of opponents at light flyweight. 'Hopefully the switch to the pro's will create more opportunities and I'll be giving it my all in training and sparring with the likes of Stephanie Kernachan from Falkirk.' Stephanie is the first elite woman to win a GB title in the Scotland vest, and she was the first senior female boxer to compete at a World Championship for Scotland. Frances adds: 'I'm really pleased with the amount of support I've had and hopefully a lot of these people will come to Glasgow to see my debut.' Frances is determined to balance sport with studies, though, and will be taking up a place in Dundee Open University with a view to becoming a PE teacher. Like this: Like Related
