RICHARD THOMAS reckons Charlie Flynn and Stewart Burt have the potential to go all the way after turning to the professional ranks.

Newarthill fighter Flynn propelled himself into the public limelight when he won gold in last summer's Commonwealth Games.

Armed with a wicked jab and a deadly charisma, the former Royal Mail worker has now hung up his mail bag for the last time, with him defeating Ibrar Riyaz in his first pro fight last month.

And Boxing Scotland supremo Thomas said: "Charlie Flynn has done wonders for Scottish boxing.

"He's a working-class guy, holding down a part-time job, and has put as much as he can into boxing.

"A lot has been written about Charlie's ascendancy, but international boxing coaches did a fantastic job which has gone unrecognised. They played a major part."

Another boxer Thomas was sorry to see leave the amateur wing was Newton Mearns fighter Burt.

The welterweight just missed out on a place in the Commonwealth Games squad, but still impressed enough to turn pro and record his debut win on the same night as Flynn against Fonz Alexander.

Thomas said: "Stewart was a boxer who we were absolutely devastated to lose. At that slot for the Games, it could have gone differently, Stewart could very well have been in the team.

"He had a very close bout with Lewis Benson in qualifying and, from memory, there was some anomaly in that. But it is what it is."

Speaking about his hopes for both boxers, Thomas added: "With their ability, they can go all the way.

"A part of that, of course, is around the promoter and the course that is charted for them. Some of that can be luck. The boxer who can sell 10,000 tickets will be better promoted.

"That is something Stewart is fighting against because he's maybe less well known. But knowing his personality, and the good camp he is in with Joe Ham Snr, I'm sure he will do well.

"It's not always the person who rises the quickest, it's the one who endures the longest."