Jack Barton, pictured after being crowned the Sunstate Amateur Boxing League 2024 Golden Gloves junior boxer of the tournament earlier this month, has been invited to don his gloves in Sydney as part of a State of Origin showdown on 27 July. Photo: Supplied.
The Weipa community is being called on open its wallet to help one of its most promising athletes step into the boxing ring in Sydney to fight for state pride next month.
Sixteen-year-old Jack Barton has been invited to don the maroon trunks in a State of Origin tournament at Arena Sports Club in the city’s south-west on 27 July, but a calendar clash means his Cape York Boxing Weipa coach, Scott Wallace, will not be able to be in his corner for the bout.
“There’s a fight night on in Mareeba on the same night, and I’ve promised about eight or nine of our other boys that we could go to that, so we’re trying to raise some money so Jack and his dad can go to Sydney while we go to Mareeba,” Mr Wallace explained.
“I’d be there with bells on, but I can’t abandon the other boys going to Mareeba.”
With an impressive record of four wins from nine fights, Barton is one of the club’s rising stars and Mr Wallace said he was asking Weipa residents and businesses to fundraise $3,000 to get his fighter to the Sydney event to continue his development as a boxer.
“In Weipa, I’ve taken him as far as I can,” Mr Wallace said of Barton.
“I spoke to [Sunstate Amateur Boxing League president] Greg ‘Scooter’ Hooper about him, and he agrees the kid could go as far as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, but he won’t be able to do it from Weipa.”
Barton is expected to fight in the 75-kilogram experienced youth class in the State of Origin showdown, but Mr Wallace said there was a chance he could weigh in heavier if a suitable opponent could not be found.
“We’ve got him down for 75[kg] but I said to the promoter if he can’t get someone at that, we’d be happy for him to fight at 78[kg] or 79[kg], something like that.”
With a reciprocal State of Origin event scheduled to be held north of the border in Toowoomba later in the year, Mr Wallace said the Sydney trip would allow Barton to cement his name as one to watch in Australian amateur boxing circles.
“It’s so exciting,” he said.
“It’s just one of those out-of-the-blue things you don’t expect living in a remote area.
“The [Weipa] locals are just amazing when they help out, and I hope they can do it again now.”
Anyone wanting to help Barton get to Sydney to realise his boxing potential can contact Mr Wallace on 0407 698 560 or via the Cape York Boxing Weipa Facebook page.
