Night 1
The Australian Amateur Boxing League(AABL) 2011 National Titles were hosted by League Boxing Inc (NSW) at the Helikalani Bolwing Club, Budgiewoi on the 24th, 25th & 26th November.
86 boxers from Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania & NSW weighed in on Thursday morning in anticipation of a very competitive weekend of Amateur Boxing.
Night 1 of the Titles was kicked of with two finals. The 60kg Schoolboy Final was won by Joshua McKay (NSW) and the 41kg Junior Final was won by Gunnedah’s Corey Grosser.
The night continued with elimination bouts in the Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions. Junior boxers Cory Hardy (NSW), Matt Grant (QLD), Brad Verfuth (Vic) & Mitchell Whitelaw (NSW) all advanced to the final.
The Intermediate 67kg division shaping up, as always, as the strongest division in the tournament. Three eliminations were contested on night 1. Sam Payne (QLD), Manyang Dut (NSW) & Brad Nicholson (NSW) all put on impressive displays to advance into the next round of eliminations, with Nicholson defeating the local favorite and much talked about Troy O’Meley in a very entertaining and close fight.
Lorenzo Spozito was to good for his fellow NSW opponent in the 86kg intermediate elimination.
Senior Boxer’s Ryan Heck (QLD), Ben Bowes (QLD), Lachlan Hinchcliffe (QLD) all advanced. In the fight of the night Queensland’s Jamie McIntyre got the judges nod over Jean Paul Beguin (NSW) in the 75kg weight division.
Night 2
The night kicked off with six junior finals. All boxers displayed great skills, courage & sportsmanship. Jack Grosser (NSW), Jack Seabourne (Tas), Tysinn Best (QLD) & Nathan Hinchcliffe (QLD) all had wins. The 51kg Junior final between Queensland’s Liam Paro and New South Welshman Nathan Merritt was a cracker with Merrit edging out his opponent in a split decision. A much improved Corey Hardy was gallant in defeat against a relentless Jimmy Judge in the 57kg junior final.
Next up were the boys in the 67kg Intermediate division with three of the four boxers backing up from the previous night & Tasmania’s former AABL Title holder Jy Sullivan still alive in the tournament. The boys didn’t disappoint. Brad Nicholson won a tough fight against Sullivan & Toronto’s Manyang Dut defeated Sam Payne. All in attendance were already talking about the final the next night.
Senior elimination bouts followed. Tassie boxer David Eaton edged out Matt Ford in a sometimes scrappy encounter. Jared Kumtoo (Vic), Brad Brennan (NSW), Dean Thomas (Qld) & Queensland Ben Bowes all progressed into the finals. 67kg boxer Scott Edwards was unfortunate when his shoulder popped out in the dressing room during his warm up and was anable to enter the ring for his fight.
Two elimination bouts in the always strong 78kg class saw Wade Ryan narrowly defeating Newcastle’s Chad Price and the evasive skills of frenchman Faris Chevalier (now living in Cairns) were too much for Simon Rendina.
In the Super Heavies (91+) Victorias Che St John put up a great fight against a more experienced opponent in Brett Jeffery from Queensland. Jeffery won the fight but St John proved he will be a handful in the future with a few more fights under his belt. Shaun Pua won the other bout against Gunnedah’s Ben Croyle.
The last event of the evening was the Final of the 86kg Senior Final. Central Coast local Robbie Harris made short work of Tassie’s Shane Jackman in his last fight in the amateur ranks. Robbie will turn professional early next year.
Night 3
The first two fights on finals night were a historic occasion. It was the first time females have been allowed to fight for an AABL National Title on NSW soil since the laws were changed to allow females to box were changed a couple of years ago. Krystina Jacobs (Tas) defeated QLD boxer Shearna Smith & Dana Sailsbury (NSW) had a win over Pam McClealand (NSW).
The girls were followed by four junior bouts. Dean Muscat (NSW), Mitchel Whitelaw (NSW), Tristan Martin (QLD) & Adam Cook (Tas) all took home gold.
Intermediate Division were the next group to step through the ropes. The 67kg weight class final had the crowd on the edge of there seats. With both fighters having plenty of supporters in attendance. Brad Nicholson started the fight strong winning the first two rounds. His opponent Manyang Dut fought back courageously in rounds 3 & 4 but in the end Nicholson won a split decision.
In the 75kg Masters final Reverend Dave Smith won a close fight over Darren Fitzsimmons. The crowds appreciation was displayed at the conclusion of the bout with money thrown into the ring in support of Reverend Dave’s work getting kids off the streets.
Senior finals completed the weekends events. All bouts were of excellent quality. Gold was handed to Harley Broom (QLD), Jacob Daureen (Tas), Dean Thomas (QLD), Tom Feron (NSW) & Shaun Pau. Micheal Perry had a KO win against Tassie boxer Jed Cornish who displayed some great skills before he was caught & couldn’t recover.
The two standout fights of the tournament were the 63.5kg & the 78kg senior finals. Wade Ryan (NSW) & Faris Chevailer (QLD) was a great “chess” battle between two evasive, counter punching boxers. A split Decision was awarded to the Queenslander. The 63.5 kg final was an all out, non stop war from start to finish. Jarod Kumtoo (Vic) was to strong for the talented Brad Brennen (NSW) and took home the Title for the second year in a row. Kumtoo’s effort all the more amazing considering he has not fought this year and had no sparring in the lead up to the tournament.
Medals on the night were presented by Australian Boxing Legends Tony Mundine & Billy Males.
Videos can be purchased from Combat Productions.
Congrats to Fire For Effect Boxing for organizing a great event
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