Weipa’s Jack Barton is set to fight on the national stage this weekend when he steps into the ring at the 2024 Australian Amateur Boxing League National Titles in Gosford. Photo: Supplied.
He’s rock-hard fit, ready to fight, and only days away from stepping into the ring to make the Australian boxing scene learn his name.
Seventeen-year-old Weipa fighter Jack Barton will make the interstate trip south this week to contest the 2024 Amateur Boxing League National Titles in Gosford from 28-30 November.
When the quietly spoken boxer dons the gloves on the central New South Wales coast, he will be showcasing not only his talent and rising star, but also the depth of one of the remotest boxing clubs in the country.
Barton said he was feeling strong ahead of his national debut, adding he was looking forward to representing Cape York Boxing Weipa in front of some of the biggest amateur competitors, trainers and boxing influencers in Australia.
“It’s an honour,” he told Cape York Weekly ahead of departing for Gosford.
“I get a lot of support from everyone in Weipa, and I’m looking forward to competing against boxers from all over Australia.
“My fitness is good and I’m feeling strong; coaches Dan and Scott have had me sparring all the seniors, doing up to 10 rounds a session.”
Club founder and coach Scott Wallace described the opportunity for Barton to step onto the national stage at just 17 as “what dreams are made of” and said he believed his fighter would be competitive.
“Words can’t explain it, to get to the big stage with what we’ve got up here – it’s just what dreams are made of,” he said.
“I think we’re in a great position; he’s pretty much up to 79 kilograms now, and he’s not wasted or fatigued.
“I think he’s going to have a good crack; we’re just going to go down and do our thing.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned with his preparation and training, the rest of it’s up to the boxing gods.”
Barton, who started in the sport to be as good as his sister, who also trained under Wallace, thanked his coaches, sponsors and supporters, and said he had one eye on potentially turning professional in the coming years.
“I started boxing to get better than my sister Megan, who also trained under Scott Wallace – she was feared by all the boys,” Barton said.
“My goal is to keep developing and learning, and see how much I can achieve, maybe even going pro.
“I have people giving me compliments and wishing me all the best in the next fight.
“Hopefully, my work ethic in training will help push anyone wanting to come to boxing; it’s a long process, but it’s very rewarding.”
It’s fair to say 17-year-old Jack Barton is rock-hard fit ahead of his upcoming southern bouts. Photo: Supplied.
