The region’s up-and-coming boxing talent is preparing to go on show in front of a big crowd at Weipa Fight Night 2.0 on 19 July. Photo: Supplied.
Western Cape York’s young pugilistic talent will leave it all in the ring when they don the gloves to thrill hundreds of boxing fans at Weipa Fight Night 2.0 on 19 July.
Fighters from Mareeba, Atherton, Yarrabah and Thursday Island will converge on Weipa for the region’s most anticipated boxing event in two years, with professional boxer and former NRL star Justin Hodges also set to make a special appearance.
With more than a dozen bouts lined up, a mix of experienced amateurs and first-time competitors will showcase their skills, with crowd favourites Jack Barton and Samson Poi Poi ready to show fans why they collected 2025 Queensland Golden Gloves wins in May.
Cape York Boxing Weipa founder and coach Scott Wallace said he was expecting a parochial crowd on Saturday night as athletes battled to be crowned King of the Cape.
“I think there’s about 30 or 40 people coming down from Bamaga just to watch Samson put the gloves on,” he laughed.
“The town’s just abuzz; I can’t even go into the shops, because everybody just pulls me up and wants to talk about Fight Night and what’s going to happen.
“It’s amazing for a little town to be so keen to watch a boxing tournament.”
One of the fighters throwing leather in their first bout will be John Brown, who said his excitement level was building ahead of debuting in front of what is expected to be a sold out crowd.
“It’s pretty humbling,” the 17-year-old said as he prepared to train on Friday.
“Scotty’s training us pretty hard and the sparring’s been really good.
“I’ll just try not to let the pressure get to me too much, you know.”
Mr Wallace said he expected Brown to deliver a strong showing.
“You watch him, he’s only new to the sport but he’s got some skills,” he said.
“He’s got an American boxing style, so it should be pretty thrilling for the crowd when he gets in the ring.”
The Weipa Storm Surge Shelter doors open for the cash only event at 5pm, with the bell set to sound in the first bout at 6pm sharp.
For the latest information about the event, keep an eye on the club’s Facebook page.
Jack Barton, pictured during his No Limit Boxing win in Cairns on 25 June, will be a crowd favourite at Weipa Fight Night 2.0. Photo: Emily Haire.
