The Kaeo Boxing Club added three more titles to its trophy cabinet after all three fighters representing the Far North gym at the North Island Novice Boxing Championships in Rotorua on Saturday won their divisions.
The tournament for novice fighters - i.e. those who have have under 10 fights - had 44 bouts on the day's card and featured the best up-and-coming boxers from Wellington to the Far North.
Kaeo Boxing Club coach Rusty Porter was in his usual spot in the corner for all three of his boxers, and noted the first title was secured in bout 18 by Kyle Chen of Kerikeri (age 13, weight 62kg) who took on Xavier Hirinni (14) of Hamilton. This was the second time the two have fought and while each was familiar with the other's moves, Chen retained his composure and eventually won by unanimous decision, becoming a North Island novice champion in the process.
The first fighter to climb into the ring for Kaeo at the event, however, was Liam Davis of Ohaeawai (15, 70kg) where, with three boxers in his division, he was matched up against Shannon Kara (15, 70kg) of Hamilton in the first bout on the day's card.
Porter noted Davis was, as expected, very nervous, this being his first time in the competition ring. "I had to keep telling him to keep focused and composed and he boxed very well, winning by majority decision," Porter noted, adding Davis then fought his second fight - for the title - against Hemi Timoko (15, 70kg) of Rotorua in bout 23 on the card. Still amping from his first fight, Davis put two 8 counts on Timoko in the second round before eventually winning by TKO, to claim the North Island 70kg junior novice championship.
Finally, at 11.30pm in bout 41, Jono Wilks (23, 74kg) of Kerikeri proved too fast and strong for Tyler Karaynidis of Hawkes Bay Boxing in the elite (over 18-years) division, with the referee stopping the fight in round 2 by TKO, and awarding the Far North boxer the 74kg elite division title for the North Island novice champs.
Also there to support his colleagues was the experienced - as in, no longer a novice fighter - Blake Hodges and he was surprised to be offered a fight for the Bill Woods Memorial trophy, a new challenge event put up by the hosts to be contested by boxers from Kaeo and Rotorua. Hodges (16, 70kg) of Kerikeri was happy enough to accept and found himself matched against the heavier Jim Walsh (75kg) of Rotorua for the Memorial, named in honour of the old Kaeo boxing trainer, with Walsh eventually winning via a unanimous decision.
In conclusion, Porter thanked all the parents and fellow gym members for their support and helping to get his boxers to this and other tournaments.