18 March 2025

Barton adopts ‘work harder’ mantra after gutsy Toowoomba bout

| Lyndon Keane
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Ethan Reynolds (right) gets a unanimous judges’ verdict in his 81 kilogram division amateur fight against Weipa’s Jack Barton in Toowoomba on 15 March. Photo: Supplied.

He may not have walked away with the eighth win of his career, but boxer Jack Barton has returned to Weipa with a resolve to “work harder” as he sets his sights on his next challenge in the ring.

Barton, 17, was beaten by 19-year-old Ethan Reynolds in a unanimous decision at The Big Fights 38 in Toowoomba on 15 March, but said he was taking plenty of positives from the clash.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said after the bout.

“There’s a real professional level of fighting with this [event] with the weigh-in and stand-off – it was cool.

The young fighter said he felt more comfortable stepping into the ring in the 81 kilogram weight class, adding he was confident it would not be long before he added another win to his record.

READ ALSO Barton shows talent, depth of character on national boxing stage

“I’ve just got to do more training and work harder so the next one’s a win,” he said.

“I feel a lot more comfortable not having to drop more weight, so I’ll try and stay at that, have a few more fights at that weight and see how I go.”

The pro-am event was also the 10th anniversary of the death of boxer Braydon “Brayd” Smith,” and Barton’s father, Scott, said it had been an emotional night for competitors and the nearly 1,000 boxing fans in attendance.

“It was massive and it was really emotional for Jack, because he was part of a 10-year memorial for Braydon Smith,” Mr Barton said.

Weipa boxer Jack Barton (right) shapes up with opponent Ethan Reynolds following their weigh-in at The Big Fights 38 in Toowoomba on Saturday. Photo: Supplied.

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