After more than 800 boxing fans turned out for the inaugural event in 2023, Weipa Fight Night 2.0 is expected to draw an even bigger crowd when it returns to western Cape York on 19 July. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Western Cape York’s up-and-coming boxers will have a chance to experience life inside the ring on their own doorstep as Weipa Fight Night 2.0 prepares to return on 19 July.
After more than 800 people turned out to witness remote amateur boxing at its best in 2023, Cape York Weipa Boxing founder and coach Scott Wallace said he could not wait for the event to make its long-awaited comeback this year.
“The town’s talking about it already, just from one [social media] post,” he said.
“People are making contact with me saying they want to help, and businesses are jumping on board; any day now, we hope we’re going to be able to announce a naming rights sponsor and it’s all going to steamroll from there.”
As boxing goes from strength to strength in the region, Mr Wallace said Fight Night 2.0 would provide competitors new to the sport with an opportunity to debut in the ring without the pressure of having to travel to an event in a bigger town or city.
“To put a fight night on in Weipa, it gives those shyer kids, and those kids who maybe aren’t quite there yet, a chance to have an exhibition fight at home to give them that confidence,” he said.
“It takes that pressure away from having to have your first fight after you’ve travelled somewhere for a bout.”
Sixteen fights were held on the first Fight Night and Mr Wallace said he was hoping to improve on that benchmark in 2025 to keep the crowd entertained.
“Me, being a dreamer, I’m going for 18 or 20 fights and exhibitions,” he said.
With the bill coming in at $25,000 to put on the inaugural Fight Night, Mr Wallace said the club was putting a shout out for sponsors to help lessen the financial load.
Businesses or community members interested in sponsorship or helping out behind the scenes for the event can call 0407 698 560.
