Willie Thompson with young son Scott Thompson (Image: Willie Thompson) Want all the latest Sports news direct to your inbox? Share your email for the biggest headlines, transfer news and more More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Want all the latest Sports news direct to your inbox? Share your email for the biggest headlines, transfer news and more Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Former boxer Willie Thompson has watched his young son grow up around gyms and small halls. He fondly recalls teaching him some of the basics when just three years old. Fast forward 15 years and Scott Thompson is forging his own name in the fight game. The talented 18-year-old is set to compete at this week's European Youth Championships. He is the only fighter from Northern
Ireland included in the 15-strong Ireland squad heading to Croatia for the competition, which starts on Tuesday. Read more: Belfast boxer dedicates first title win to cousin who died from
cancer Read more: Kurt Walker beats James Beech to claim first professional title at Ulster Hall The teen, who fights out of Spartans BC in Ballyclare, has won multiple amateur titles during his fledgling career. And like his father, the pro game could beckon in the future. Willie - who runs and coaches at the Spartans gym - fought 15 times as a professional before retiring in 2014. He fought on the undercard of Tyson Fury's clash with Martin Rogan at the SSE Arena back in 2011. He is hoping to pass on his
boxing experience to young son Scott, who he has tipped for a big future in the sport. Scott and Willie Thompson (Image: Willie Thompson) Willie said: "Scott is such a dedicated kid. He has won everything and been an
Irish champion since he was 11 years of age, and he is now 18. He started boxing when he was just six, but I was teaching him some of the basics when he was three years of age. "Some might say it was written in the stars that he would become a boxer. He has always been into it. I have watched him grow up in the gym and around boxing, and it is definitely in his blood. "Boxing has always been a passion of mine. I boxed and now I coach. It will always be a passion. And now Scott has that same passion and commitment." Read More Related Articles Belfast boxer Ruadhan Farrell dedicates first title win to cousin who died from cancer Read More Related Articles Amy Broadhurst in shock Team GB request to keep Olympic dream alive Scott's inclusion in the Ireland squad for this week's European Youth Championships is a feather in the cap of Spartans BC. He will fight in the 48kg division at the event in Porec, Croatia, from April 2 to 15. "Scott is the only fighter from up here in the squad for the European Youth Championships. It is good recognition for him and the club," Willie added. "He is going there to win. He is 100 per cent focused. He is a quiet lad and doesn't say much about it, but I know how determined he will be." Scott Thompson (Image: Willie Thompson) And Willie believes his son can go all the way and become world champion. He said: "He is only 18 years old and I believe he will be world champion. He is going all the way. I watched other boxers from an early age who went all the way, likes of Ricky Hatton and carl Frampton , they are nothing compared to Scott. And I am not just saying that because he is my son. "When he is in that ring there are no weaknesses in him. He can adapt to any game plan and change in the ring. He is trained to do everything. He has all the attributes. "The only thing he lacks is experience at these types of events. He has only been away on two trips, so this will be a new experience. But he is professional and will approach it professionally. Hopefully he goes and does what he has been trained to do." Scott admits he is excited to be involved in the Ireland squad. They recently spent four days in
France preparing for this week's championships. He said: "I am delighted to be involved. It is going to be a challenge but that's what I want as a boxer. I recently won the Under 18 title which put me in pole position to go to the Europeans. Join our Irish League
Football WhatsApp community Click this link to receive all the latest and
BREAKING Irish League football news, reaction, comment and analysis from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . "It is a proud achievement being selected, but I want to win. I am going there with that mindset and we will see how it goes. I think every fighter is going with a winning mentality and I am no different." St Paul's ABC coach Ralph McKay who is part of the Ireland coaching team added: "Scott is a tough kid who is ring wise and knows what to do. This will be his first international experience and we can't wait to see him perform in Croatia. "This is part of his journey towards the 2028 Olympic Games. He has all the ability to do well." Team 48kg Tiffany Spencer, Jobstown BC,
Dublin 50kg Carlagh Peake, Ballyhaunis BC, Mayo. 52kg Grace Conway Dowling, Tredagh BC, Louth 54kg Nicole Kinsella, St. Mary’s BC, NR, Wexford 63kg Ava Henry, Dublin Docklands BC. 66kg Kyla Doyle Byrne, Whitechurch BC, Dublin 48kg Scott Thompson, Spartans BC, Antrim 51kg Jamie Collins, Drimnagh BC, Dublin 54kg Kai Ducque, Avona BC, Dublin 57kg Martin McDonagh, Avona BC, Dublin. 60kg Jack Johnson, Marble City BC, Kilkenny 63.5kg Ryan Jenkins, Olympic BC, Westmeath 67kg Ryan Connolly, Setanta BC, Kildare. 71kg Tadhg O’Donnell, Four Kings BC, Wicklow. 92+kg Adam Olaniyan, Jobstown BC, Dublin. Team Manager: Anna Moore Coach: Liam Cunningham Coach: Amanda Spencer Coach: Garry Kehoe Coach: Ralph McKay R&J: Stephen Kelly Join Belfast Live’s new Irish League WhatsApp group. Click this link to receive the latest Irish League headlines and breaking news direct to your phone. We also treat our members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our group, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive
Facebook Twitter Comment More On Ricky Hatton Antrim Ballyclare boxing Carl Frampton