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.
