PCYC boxers return with titles

Several amateur boxers from Umina PCYC have returned with National Golden Gloves Titles, following their performances at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane from August 22 to 25.

The National Golden Gloves tournament is attended by boxers from all states of Australia, New Zealand and several Pacific Islands and is the largest amateur boxing tournament in Australia.

The team from Umina PCYC, coached by PCYC boxing director Joel Keegan, bagged the majority of medals.

Tom Deakin, 11, who won his maiden Golden Glove title last year, again won gold, stopping his more experienced opponent in less than a minute in the final.

Ryan Covi, 14, had to step up to the open division to secure fights and won gold after beating an older boy who had recently beaten Australia's number one ranked boxer in his division.

Ryan went on to beat the current Queensland Champion in a close fight in the final.

Thirty-two-year-old veteran Shaun Bevan took the gold after a strong performance against his taller and younger opponent in the final.

Umina PCYC boxer Josh Perricone, who trained out of the All Sorts Gym at Wyong by Tapu Opetaia, won his second Golden Gloves title with a strong performance in the final.

Silver went to 12-year-old current Australian Champion, Umina's Jason Fawcett who accounted for his New Zealand opponent in his first fight, and was just shaded in the final by an older and heavier opponent.

Akl Elias, 17, also took silver after a close fight.

Middleweight, Ben Howell, was also just beaten by the eventual winner in a sea sawing battle.

These successes follow other recent top performances by Central Coast boxers.

Multiple Australian Champion, 15-year-old Satali Tevi-Fuimaono, who also trains under Joel Keegan at Umina PCYC will compete in the World Junior Boxing Titles being held in Kiev from September 5 to 16.

Joel runs a junior boxing program out of his Umina PCYC gym where boys and girls are taught boxing skills.

New boxers are always welcome to participate with competition available up to state and national level.

Training is from 4pm to 5pm for juniors on Mondays and Wednesday, and 5pm to 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for seniors at Umina PCYC.

Any inquiries about joining the club should be directed to club manager Allison Carpenter on 4344 7851.

Email, 28 Aug 2013

Paul Covi, Umina PCYC