Boxing at light-heavyweight, Rafferty was a member of the Clarkston Amateur Boxing Club in Airdrie,[2] when he won the prestigious Light-heavyweight ABA Championship at the Empire Pool, Wembley.[3]
He represented the Scottish Commonwealth Games team[4] at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland,[5][6] participating in the light-heavyweight category.[7] He won the bronze medal after beating Welshman Anthony Roberts in the quarter-final round but losing to Oliver Wright in the semi-final bout.[8]
Rafferty stepped up in weight and fought at heavyweight[9] and also joined the Monkland Amateur Boxing Club, based in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.[10] In December 1976, he won a second ABA title at the Empire Pool, Wembley, but this time at heavyweight.[11]
After winning a record nine amateur Scottish titles[12] he decided to turn professional in 1980[13] and fought ten professional bouts between 1980 and 1981.[14]
