By RON LANE
LAST weekend a squad of boxers from the Impact Boxing Academy, Cooroy, flew to Mackay as part of the Southern Queensland team to compete against the best that north Queensland could provide.
To say that it was a walkover is being polite with the Southerners winning 27 of the 32 fights on the program.
For the Impact members it was definitely a successful tournament.
Boxing in only her second tournament, Ella Boot, aged 16, won both her Friday and Saturday bouts, her first being a points decision and her second winning with a sensational KO in round one.
Ten-year-old novice Kayen ‘Kaos’ Mercieca won his first fight with a first round KO and his second with a points decision.
Despite recovering from a recent illness Coen Allman fought bravely to go down in a split decision on the Friday night but after recovered fully on Saturday he won a unanimous points decision.
His opponent on this occasion was a tough member of the Palm Island Boxing Club who had a record of 11 fights for 11 wins.
For Coen, aged 13, and current holder of the 36kg Australian Championship, his refusal to pull out of the tournament showed a lot of courage and is to be commended.
Coach Mark Evans was very happy with the overall results with Impact fighters winning six of their five fights.
“The event hosted by the Northern Beaches Bowls Club was well attended,” said Evans.
“We can’t say enough about the club. Apart from playing host they also made their club bus available to convey our team around town. The hospitality of the locals was incredible.”
Next major tournament will be Queensland v South Australia at Acacia Ridge Brisbane from 8 to 10 July. Then later in the year on 5 November it will be Noosa’s turn to play host, when Impact Boxing Academy will stage the sixth annual Young Guns meet at the Noosa District State High School.
This will be a big night with boxers coming from all over Australia.
Most importantly it will give the opportunity to see local state, national and international champions in action.
