Boxing: Young boxer has the worlds at his feet

Kyle Chen

A Northland boy has knocked out his future rugby dreams and will now represent New Zealand in boxing.

Two-time Golden Gloves champion Kyle Chen will be competing in the Junior World Championships in Russia in September, and all going to plan, will aim to make it to the Olympics in 2020.

Chen competed in a Supercity Boxing tournament in Auckland on Saturday.

About 40 seconds into the fight Chen defeated his opponent, 2015 70kg Golden Gloves champion Sonatane Tautalanoa. Chen's strong opening attack was enough to put Tautalanoa into the ropes, where the referee called a halt to the match.

This was a great success for Chen, who usually boxes in the 66kg weight class, but stepped up to the 70kg class for the tournament.

Kyle's boxing coach Harry Otty said he was proud of Chen's achievement.

"Kyle's done really well. He listened to the instructions and it was the first time he's boxed in a while. [He] was way too strong and good technically for him.

"He puts a lot of time in, he trains just about every day." Three words are all it took to motivate Chen to train hard and stay focused - Olympic gold medal. He will be 20-years-old when the 2020 Olympics take place. Chen, 14, started boxing to gain fitness for rugby and wanted to try his first fight.

He said he was proud he will be representing New Zealand and was confident about the worlds in Russia.

"I think I can win it. I just have to train hard."

Unfortunately there is no funding for the junior tournament and travelling long distances for training can put financial strain on Chen and his family.

If you would like to help out go to the givealittle website and search "Kyle Chen".