TWO boxing brothers have both secured semi-pro belts following an epic showdown held in Alloa at the weekend.

Zander and Paddy Calderwood both secured WKA district titles as the Scottish Martial Arts Centre (SMAC), based in Tullibody, hosted its Home Show at Alloa Town Hall on Saturday, July 29.

The duo headlined the action-packed fight night which saw 13 bouts, mainly boxing but also some kickboxing as SMAC hosted a number of fighters from Rivals Gym in Wishaw.

Zander, 36, faced Colin Blue in the 79kg category as the main event of the night while his older brother Paddy, 38, was up against John Wright in the 83kg category.

On split decision after three rounds, Zander clinched the title, motivated by Paddy's win by TKO in the second round in the event just prior.

Alloa's Zander told Advertiser Sport: “I'm ecstatic, really delighted to get that one.

“It was a really tough scrap.”

He explained he previously faced Glasgow man Blue, of Integrity Martial Arts Scotland, in a bout and was able to take learning from that to decipher his gameplan.

“I knew what to expect – I am a pressure fighter and in my last battle with him I didn't pressurise him as much as I would have liked to.”

This time around, Zander was able to apply that pressure from the first bell to the last, earning a well-deserved win by split-decision.

Paddy did not hold back in his bout against John Wright.

“I don't think that guy even laid a glove on Paddy,” Zander continued.

“He tried to come at Paddy quite early but Paddy just overpowered him with his power shots, he was landing the shots very well.”

Wright would be knocked down twice in the first round and it is understood his corner team called it after the third knock down of the match in the second round, leading to a TKO win for Paddy, from Stirling.

“It was an absolute beating,” Zander added.

“When Paddy went out and got the win, I felt a lot of pressure that I had to step up and make sure we both got the win.”

Speaking of the rest of the night, Zander could not fault organisers SMAC, where he trains with his brother, and said: “I can't thank them enough for putting on a fantastic show, Adam Paterson – the owner, he really put a good show on for us.

“Rivals Gym, Wishaw, brought quite a lot of fighters over so there was quite a good few scraps, it was really-really good.”

The night also saw the retirement of the home club's Thomas “Tambo” Law.

The Calderwood brothers developed a love for boxing after taking part in a charity bout with Ultra White Collar Boxing a few years ago and proved it is never too late to get started.

They will continue training after a rest, Zander telling Advertiser Sport of hopes of another fight before the end of the year.