Born in Glasgow and based in Condorrat, Docherty represented Scotland as an amateur,[1] and made his professional debut in September 1989 with a points win over Gordon Shaw.
In February 1994 he made an unsuccessful attempt at Vincenzo Belcastro's European title at the Kelvin Hall, losing a unanimous points decision.
[3][4] Docherty returned in January 1996 to challenge WBO champion Daniel Jiménez, but was again unsuccessful with the unanimous decision going to Jiminez.
[5][7] Two months later Docherty attempted to win the European bantamweight title, but was stopped in the third round by defending champion Johnny Bredahl.
[11] Having relinquished the British title he attempted to regain it from Michael Alldis in November 2000, but was knocked out in the sixth round, and subsequently retired from boxing.