CLYDEBANK Muay Thai gym Glasgow Thai Boxing Academy sealed a win and were edged out narrowly in two fights at a recent event at the Linwood ON-X Centre.

First in for the Clydebank fight club was Paul “p-hop” Hopkins in a bantamweight contest . He faced opposition in former team-mate Martin McKelvie from OB’s gym in Johnstone.

It was a very close contest with Hopkins doing well early on, but as the fight went on his opponent improved as McKelvie improved and took a narrow split points decision via a split by the judges.

Next up was former Dunfermline, Barnsley and Falkirk footballer Craig Ireland.

The 40-year-old hadn't found anything to replace the buzz of football until trying Muay Thai. He initially brought his son Maddox to the club and he now represents the junior team.

Instead of driving from Bathgate and watching his son train he was convinced to join in and hasn’t looked back since, losing a whopping four stone already.

He lost his fight in the third round after not being able to recover from a cracking right hand from his opponent Stuart McKee, again from OB’s gym.

Early on in round one he was caught clean with some heavy hands and took an eight count, but recovered well and improved in the second round. In round three a fantastic right hand rocked Ireland and he was on unsteady on his feet from there, the referee deeming him unfit to carry on.

Nico Carrillo was up next for GTBA and faced Dumfries fighter Paul Barbour,. This was actually the 3rd attempt at getting this fight on with Barbour having who had twice previously had to withdraw from the fight because of injuries.

It turned out third time lucky as Nico won unanimously on a points decision. It was an extremely dominant performance by the Scotstoun youngster, who won all five rounds convincingly.

He proved the hype surrounding him might be justified and at the age of just 17 he could be the next big thing in Scottish Muay Thai.

GTBA head coach Craig Floan said: “Despite not coming away with all three, I’m extremely proud of the way my guys performed. Paul was the fittest he has ever been and its the best performance I’ve seen from him since he came to the gym.

“He handled the pressure well it’s facing a former team-mate and it was an extremely close fight. It would’ve been the cherry on top if Craig had won.

“Having lost all that weight and not competing in anything competitive since retiring from football, it would’ve been nice for him to get the win. He got caught with a cracker which is the nature of the game. With heavyweights there’s always the danger of being hit with some power.

“It’s made him more determined though and already he’s talking about the next fight, which is positive. Not bad for a 40-year-old.

“Nico gave a near perfect performance. I honestly believe he is our next superstar to come from Scotland.

“At 17 he has the calmness and composure of a veteran, I’m sure he will be our next world champion."

“Would also like to take the opportunity to show our support to our dear friend and gym member Laura Dillon, the auntie of Paige Doherty, we are all thinking of her and her family at this sad time.”