A SHOCK split decision deprived Scottish champion boxer Barry Craig of glory in Finland. Barry was representing Scotland in the final of the Pirkka Tournament, in Tampere. The Four Isles Boxing Club bantamweight faced Christian Baekkelien, from Norway, in a keenly-anticipated encounter. Although Barry was six inches smaller than his opponent, he stood up well to the challenge. He dictated the four-round bout all the way through, scoring with double left hands and right hooks to the head on a regular basis. The Norwegian was inclined to overdo it with his showboating and failed to score to the same extent. However, there was shock in Barry’s camp when Baekkelien won by a split decision, three judges to two. To his credit, Barry was not too downhearted and took solace from the fact that he had been invited to compete in such a prestigious contest. Barry is in action again on Friday night when he takes on Derek Skinner, Kilsyth ABC, in Kilsyth Academy. This is a warm-up fight for the Great Britain Championships from June 26 to 29 in Portobello Town Hall. Joining Barry at the show will be up-and-coming James McLaughlan who faces Sean Mulhearn of the host club. John has won eight of his ten contests to date. | 
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