Devlin replaces regular Aldi shift with Commonwealth boxing debut

Nicholas Devlin usually spends his Saturday mornings in Aldi in East Kilbride. Shelf stacking. Cleaning up. Bit of work on the tills.

Not this week, though. This week he was fighting for Scotland.

The 25-year-old delivered an accomplished performance in front of family, friends and team-mates at the SEC to see off Finbar O’Sullivan of New Zealand in the men’s lightweight category.

Devlin’s win was unanimous, taking all three rounds, to move into the last 16 and within two bouts of securing at least a bronze medal.

His target is gold, though, with the prospect of turning professional on the horizon and leaving behind his days in the supermarket.

“I’ve used up my holidays this year so I’ve had to take time off unpaid,” Devlin told BBC Sport Scotland. “But they’ve been a great support to me, letting me work round my training and stuff, so I can’t thank them enough.

“I’d pick this any day of the week, though…

“The nerves were worse this morning but once I got started I went emotionless and a bit numb almost, and got on with it.

“All my family and friends have paid their hard-earned money to come and watch me and I want to make them proud and get a medal.”