Weipa teenagers Jack Barton and Rubyn Olsen, both aged 15, are preparing to add to their fight tally on Saturday night when they step into the ring against visiting boxers.A SHOW like nothing Cape York has experienced before is what Scott Wallace is promising ticket holders ahead of Saturday’s fight night in Weipa.
More than a dozen bouts will be held in the ring set up at the Storm Surge Shelter, the home of Weipa’s first official boxing event.
“It’s going to be unreal,” said Wallace, who has been running the Cape York Boxing Club since it first started on a concrete slab at the local cricket ground.
“This is just the first year but I think everyone who buys a ticket is going to get great value for their money. We’ve got fighters coming from across North Queensland and some of them will take on our local boxers.”
While the Cape York Boxing Club is the host, the fights are run by Sunstate Amateur Boxing League, who will make sure those in the ring are safe.
“Everything is being done by the book. We’re flying in judges and we’ll have a doctor ringside,” said Wallace, who only started the club to get local youths engaged.
“The fight nights are a good reward for all the work they do in the gym. We’ve got a good bunch of regulars who turn up two or three times a week to train.”
Having moved into the former squash courts in Nanum, the Cape York Boxing Club is now building a reputation around the state as a breeding ground for quality.
Wallace said Weipa would be impressed by the cohort of local fighters who step into the ring.
“Some will be fighting for their record, while others will be in an exhibition fight as we can’t always get the right match-up.”
Weipa teenager Jack Barton is one fighter looking for someone his own age and weight.
He’s had five fights to date, but has struggled to find someone in his age and weight division.
At 15 and weighing 78kg, he’s heavier than most in his age group, although most of it is muscle.
“I’ve been training for fights for about three years,” he said.
“Even though I’ve had five fights for no wins, I think that I’ve learnt a lot. It would be nice to be able to get an even match-up.”
Local school teacher Sophia Michaelis is stepping into the ring.
Wallace said Barton would step into the ring this Saturday, but the bigger goal was for the Golden Gloves bout in the coming weeks.
“He’s still considered a novice and I think he will do well when he goes down to the Gold Coast because he’s got experience against bigger and tougher opponents,” the coach said.
Schoolmate Rubyn Olsen is also 15 and well out of Barton’s weight division, even though the two are often seen sparring in the gym.
He’ll weigh in at around 58kg this Saturday and should have a good match-up waiting for him.
Rubyn is hoping he can build on his record, which is one win from four bouts.
“I think I’ll be a bit nervous in front of my friends and family but I’m also looking forward to it,” he told Cape York Weekly.
Also stepping into the ring will be Western Cape College teacher Sophia Michaelis, who has lived in Weipa for the past 18 months.
She will likely be in an exhibition fight, with the Golden Gloves also around the corner.
“I only first came (to the gym) in November. I think I’ll get a bit nervous but that’s probably a good thing,” she said.
However, it’s not the first time she’s stepped into an arena.
The judo black belt represented Australia and was in the mix for Olympic selection.
Catch all the local fighters, plus the visiting troupe, at the Weipa Fight Night this Saturday from 6pm at the Storm Surge Shelter.
