General News
25 July, 2022
Boxers battle for Golden Gloves title
BLOOD was spilled and tears were shed as boxers from across the country flocked to the Mareeba Turf Club over the weekend for the Sunstate Amateur Boxing League Golden Gloves Titles, with only one local Tablelands fighter rising to the top and claiming a gold medal.
The event featured some of Queensland’s best boxers, with some coming from as far as New South Wales to compete in this year’s competition, held on Friday night and throughout Saturday.
Friday night saw many fighters fall, as the boxing contingent was thinned in preparation for the final bouts on Saturday.
Mareeba’s Matthew Carroll, fighting out of Redlynch Boxing, went up against Ashley Cupitt Boxing Academy’s Cohan Lockett in what could only be described as a war.
Both boxers came out of the corner with purpose and used their speed well to gauge distance and set up for the coming battle.
Big shots from Lockett drew blood from the experienced Carroll as he used his reach and quick jabs to keep him at bay.
Both boxers traded fast and heavy blows in heated exchanges and combos as the end of the match drew closer, with Lockett’s furious blows knocking Carroll’s mouthpiece out twice in the final round.
In a close decision, Lockett came out on top and was crowned the 2022 67kg Intermediate Golden Gloves Champion.
Veteran Mareeba boxer Ashton Cater, from Mareeba Amateur Boxing, met his match in the Senior 63.5kg division against Redlynch Boxing’s Daniel Burns.
Both boxers were no strangers to the ring and quickly showed their experience, trading blows early as they gauged each other in the first round.
Cater was countering Burns’ quick blows well but his unrelenting advance wore down Cater and he copped some heavy blows in the second round.
It was an aggressive match as Cater consistently slipped Burns’ advances before some heavy shots rocked Cater.
A brutal rip hook combo caught Cater clean on the chin in the final round and he dropped, giving Burns the second wind he needed and he sealed the deal.
Title organiser Wayne Bryde from Bryde’s Boxing Gym was thrilled with the turnout.
“It was amazing to have so many people turn out for the titles, we had boxers from across Australia come to Mareeba,” he said.
“Hundreds of people came through the gates over the two days to some quality boxing by some of the best up and coming boxers in Queensland.
“Even though it was a tough job to organise I would love the chance to host the titles again.”
Ex-Australian Welterweight Champion Harry Grogan was special guest at the titles and was overjoyed to see so many young talented boxers coming through the sport.
He was also given the honour of presenting some of the medals during the titles.
