Cape York Boxing Club founder and coach Scott Wallace with Weipa fighters Josh Lee and Jack Barton in Tully on Saturday. Both fighters won their bouts.
TEENAGE sensation Jack Barton appears to have a bright future in the boxing ring after he put paid to an experienced opponent in an exhibition bout on Saturday night.
Barton was one of two boxers from the Cape York Boxing Club at the fight night in Tully, with Josh Lee also travelling from Weipa.
“It was our best night for the club since we started,” said founder and coach Scott Wallace.
“I am so proud of the boys. We thought it was going to be another disappointment for Jack when his opponent didn’t turn up but we found him an exhibition fight.
“He stepped into the ring with an old veteran in Wayne Cutter and gave him a flogging.
“He’s a very respected boxer in the North Queensland community and Jack rained down leather on him.”
Wallace said finding a suitable opponent for the teenager had been problematic.
“He’s only 14 years old but he’s 75kg so it’s hard to find a match-up for him,” the coach said.
“Based on what happened in Tully it might be even harder now.”
Wallace hopes Barton will be able to find fights at the upcoming Golden Gloves tournament at Mareeba in a fortnight.
“If all goes well he could find three fights across the weekend,” he said.
“That would be a great experience for him and he’ll go there with a lot of confidence.”
Wallace also heaped praise on Lee, who won his fight after going three rounds in a slog fest.
“He was a bit nervous because about six weeks earlier he lost his first ever fight and was down on himself,” he said.
“I kept telling him that a lot of fighters lose their first one and not to read too much into it.
“Josh is a real deep thinker and it was playing on his mind.”
Against Dave Mainwaring, Lee was patient and both boxers had the Tully crowd on their feet as they exchanged blows.
“It was the noisiest fight of the night because both lads put on a great show,” Wallace said.
“Josh was a lot more relaxed and did everything I asked of him.”
In a points decision, Lee was the unanimous winner.
Like Barton, he is also likely to attend the Golden Gloves event in Mareeba.
“It’s going to be a great tournament for our club,” Wallace said.
