Teammates Samson Poi Poi, Billy Reynolds, Rubyn Olsen and Jack Barton fly the Weipa flag at the 2025 Queensland Golden Gloves in Townsville at the weekend. Photo: Supplied.
Weipa’s credentials as a breeding ground for boxing excellence took centre stage when four young fighters stepped into the ring at the 2025 Queensland Golden Gloves at the weekend.
Cape York Boxing Weipa teammates Jack Barton, Samson Poi Poi, Rubyn Olsen and Billy Reynolds made the trek to Townsville with coach Scott Wallace and an entourage of supporters to appear on the Townsville card on Saturday and Sunday, with the quartet recording a mixed bag of results.
Barton and Poi Poi will return home with some new bling for the club’s trophy cabinet after taking Golden Gloves honours in the 81-kilogram intermediate and 67kg novice classes respectively.
Mr Wallace said Poi Poi could have produced a “Cinderella story” when he was asked to step up in weight class for a crack at a second Golden Gloves title on 25 May, however, the young fighter was flattened by illness on Saturday night.
“His family (Poi Poi’s) came all the way down from Bamaga and Weipa, and the building just lit up with them cheering – it was just amazing,” the coach said.
“He was ready to go again today (Sunday), but just woke up too sick, so we had to call it.
“What a Cinderella story it would have been.
Jack Barton celebrates his 81kg intermediate class Golden Gloves victory with Cape York Boxing Weipa coach Scott Wallace. Photo: Supplied.
“It was an outstanding effort, and the boys fought technically and hard and in good sportsmanship; they’re just four absolute gentleman, just the way they handled themselves and got around down here; it was just a pleasure to bring them down.”
Olsen and Reynolds fought well but were unable to overcome bigger opponents.
Barton said he felt more comfortable in the ring at his new fighting weight, adding he believed his win proved the strategy was working.
“It’s a lot better from the weight class below,” he said.
“I feel a lot more confident and a lot stronger being at a more natural weight.
“It was a good fight; I did feel that the first two rounds were fairly even, and then the last two went my way.”
The 17-year-old said he was hoping for another bout before Weipa Fight Night 2.0 in July and praised his fellow boxers for their showing on the Golden Gloves stage.
“I was cornerman for the boys and I enjoyed that part of it; it was good to work as a team,” he said.
Young fighter Samson Poi Poi missed out on a “Cinderella story” of claiming two Golden Gloves wins in two different weight classes after falling sick overnight on 24 May. Photo: Supplied.
