Kyle Chen set to fight at junior worlds in Russia

HEAVY HITTER: Kyle Chen training at Kerikeri Community Fitness. PICTURE / PETER DE GRAAF

Kyle Chen is preparing for the fight of his life after last month being named in the Boxing New Zealand team heading to Russia for the junior world championships later this year.

Chen is stepping up his training in order to be in top shape as he contests one of 13 weight division titles up for grabs at the 2015 AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships, set to take place at St Petersburg from September 2-13.

In turning 15 on December 20, the Kerikeri High School Year 10 student could well be one of the youngest fighters at the event, and may also be the youngest boxer to ever represent New Zealand, noted his father Murray Potts. He went on to say Chen was quietly composing himself for the 12-day event, at which he will be required to get in the ring several times.

"The goalposts have changed," said Potts of his son's target. "The previous goal was to make the team, now his goal is to bring a world championship back home."

Chen will undergo a week of specialist training in Auckland followed up by a national youth and junior training camp in Hamilton during the coming school break. Part of his build-up also included an impressive win in an amateur tournament at Super City Boxing in Manukau on Saturday, June 27. Representing Spartan Boxing Club and North Harbour Boxing, Chen stepped up from his usual 66kg weight class to take on 2015 70kg Golden Gloves champion Sonatane Tautalanoa (Rising Stars Boxing).

Coach Harry Otty noted Chen, following instructions to the letter, overwhelmed his opponent in all of 40 seconds with a strong opening attack, measuring his opponent with long, straight leads before following up with powerful right hand shots to the head.

"A fast, hard combination forced Sonatane to the ropes where he was hit with several thumping right-hand punches to both head and body," Otty said, noting the referee stepped in at this point and administered a standing eight-count before calling a halt to the match, with Tautalanoa in no condition to continue in what proved the shortest contest at the 13-bout event.

As the 2014 national champion in the 63kg male cadet open grade, Chen's other achievements to date include winning several titles last year at North Island Golden Gloves, Central North Island and Auckland Boxing Association championships. More recently, he won the 2015 North Island Golden Gloves in the 66kg male junior open division.

Chen had been given plenty of support on his journey so far, and he thanked former coach Rusty Porter from the Waipapa-based Kaeo Boxing Club; Fili Maka, from the Wellsford Boxing Club who coached Chen at the 2014 nationals and has since become a mentor and a great friend; and personal trainer Aaron 'Ace' Barlow who looks after the current strength and conditioning programme.

The other major priority now is to start fundraising the estimated $6000 needed to make the Russian event. Looking for any kind of support to make this dream happen, Chen has launched a Give a Little page (https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/juniorworldboxingchamps2015).