Injury put paid to Gilmerton boxer's big fight - now he is back with big ambitions for 2008.  Gary Young is fit and raring to go for the New Year.

The fighter, 25, who boasts an impressive record of only one defeat in 17, suffered the disappointment of having a December title fight postponed due to an injury but has vowed to come back even stronger and better for 2008. Like any other boxer, Gary was training long and hard in the run-up to the fight, making sure that every single little detail was covered. However, sadly, Gary was unlucky enough to break a bone in his hand only 12 days before his scheduled fight with Welshman Barrie Jones at Meadowbank Stadium. Naturally, any athlete who has focused on and prepared for an event so intensely would be devastated at a late call-off – and Gary was no different. Speaking to The Echo, Young said, "To have the injury only 12 days before my fight- I was ultimately devastated. I pretty much went in to hiding and spoke to nobody, I was deeply upset." Indeed, in the profession of boxing, a pull-out from a main event can lead to questions as to an individual's character and their willingness to fight. Regardless of injury, it is especially hard for a boxer to take if they have to cancel a fight that they have been concentrating on. Gary, though, says the disappointment of the end of last year will only spur him on to greater things. He said, "This is my big year. British and even world titles are being spoken about. "Watch out for 2008. I'm going to make this year a good one!"

by Stuart Wilson and Steven Deighan