By Ron Lane
THE National Golden Gloves, Australia’s biggest amateur boxing championships will get underway this weekend at the Acacia Ridge Tavern Brisbane. This year’s tournament looks like being the biggest ever and Noosa Shire will be well represented by both fighters and their support groups.
President of Queensland Amateur Boxing Mark Evans of Cooroy said, “With nominations totalling 420, and fighters coming from New Zealand and New Caledonia, this year’s Golden Gloves looks the biggest ever. Another pleasing aspect is the number of Sunshine Coast boxers who have nominated for the tournament. I wish each and every one of them good luck.’’
In preparation for the Golden Gloves, last Saturday morning six amateur boxing clubs from neighboring districts had fighters assemble for sparring sessions at Israel Kani Noosa Box Office Gymnasium. These sparring sessions were their last big hit outs before the championships.
With two rings available, all fighters were able to make the best of the morning sessions. With fighters all keen to work out, all training bouts were full-on. As two fighters sparred, four others were geared up waiting in the corners of the ring for the coaches to call on them to spar.
Among the many coaches and fighters in attendance were two in particular, who, were worthy of attention. One was a coach, the other was a 16-year-old fighter and apart from having the common denominator of being in the fighting game, both were, believe it or not, female.
First there was Natalie Jenkinson a coach at the Hit House Boxing Club at Bli Bli. Just turning 40, this lady has a very interesting sporting background.
“I come from a family of boxers, grandfather, father and brothers all boxed. However, to start, I broke the mold. At 11 years of age, I started in the sport of judo.’’
After many years of training, which saw her working out under some of the best coaches in the home of judo, Japan, Natalie made the Australian Judo team for the 2000 Olympics.
“Following this I retired and then went onto amateur boxing, having about 15 fights, and in the process winning four Australian Titles. Now, I am coaching and love every minute of it.” With some of her team contesting the Golden Gloves we wish her well.
The other young lady of note was 16-year-old Michelle Booth, a student at the Sunshine Beach State High School. Like Natalie, Michelle’s back ground is martial arts, having spent some eight years in karate training at the Budokan club in Noosaville. While there, she qualified for the coveted black belt and in the competitive side she won a national title.
When asked why she shifted to amateur boxing she said, “I just needed a change, I just got tired of the karate training.” After only five fights having won all, she is starting to make critics sit up and take note.
Her style and her movements are well beyond what is to be expected from someone with such limited experience; but the way in which she puts her combinations together has to be seen to be believed. With both her mum and dad giving total support, and under the very careful and watchful eye of coach Mark Evans, this pretty young lady is definitely someone to watch. To all our Sunshine Coast coaches and boxers, good luck!
