Boxers record victories for NSW

Three Umina Beach PCYC boxers recorded victories while representing NSW in the inaugural Mayfire Challenge recently.

The Challenge was an interstate tournament between the best boxers in Tasmania and the NSW PCYC Boxing Academy.

"A massive crowd in the lovely scenic town of Burnie came to watch their local boys and girls give the NSW boxers a hiding," said Umina Beach PCYC boxing coach Joel Keegan.

"They were to be sent home mostly disappointed as the NSW team rallied to win the night five bouts to four.

"The baby of Umina PCYC at just 11 years old, Thomas Deakin, got the NSW team off to a cracking start with an 11-5 victory.

"His opponent, Tasmanian Champion Kaleb Garth, a willing and capable boxer, had little answer for the hand speed and slick footwork coming from young Deakin.

"By the end of the third round, the local boy had almost had enough of the barrage of well delivered combinations.

"It was a very impressive performance by Thomas, in front of a hostile crowd as well.

"It was also a great moment to see his father Steve coach him and others that night.

"Steve is one of a few fathers who have chosen to help out at the club and come on board as coaches.

"These guys are talented people who make huge contributions to our program," said Keegan.

Jason Fawcett, the current Australian Amateur Boxing Champion, went up against Bailey Wells, who had a controversial points victory over the young Umina lad two months earlier.

"Fawcett, who plays rugby league for the Woy Woy Roosters as well, was always going to be hard to beat in this mood, dominating the bout from the start," said Keegan.

"A natural puncher with a great eye, Fawcett landed his heavy right hand enough times to make the decision easy for judges."

Ben Howell, the veteran in the team at 25, took on Joe Corner, a middleweight with some recent victories over handy opponents.

"Howell had some good form going into the fight, with two great performances at the recent Australian Health and Fitness Titles in particular, so fireworks were also expected from the big punching Umina boxer.

"A dominant first round by the Peninsula boy had some thinking an early night was likely, as he had Corner in massive trouble with several big bombs landing flush.

"However, momentum swung sharply in the second round back to the Tasmanian as he began to connect with his own combinations.

"Umina boy Howell, stood tall in the final round, rediscovering the dominance of the first round, making the decision pretty clear for all judges."

While the boys were representing NSW in Tasmania, team mate Satali Tevi-Fuimaono was taking part in a Boxing Australia preparation camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for boxers selected to go to the World Juniors in Kiev, Ukraine, in September.

"This camp had the best fighters in the country, and they were all tested over eight days of training and competition," said Keegan.

"It was very heartening to see Satali win every testing protocol set by the AIS among the group and also dominate both competition bouts, including one against a current junior world champion."

Email, 13 Jun 2013

Joel Keegan, Umina Beach PCYC