Boxing’s boom in Bendigo is reflected in 15 home-grown boxers warming up to contest next month’s Silver Gloves tournament.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hit Factory, SupaBox, and Bendigo Amateur Boxing Club will be represented in bouts on September 8 at the All Seasons Resort.
The build-up included last Sunday’s sparring session at SupaBox in Garsed Street.
Boxing trainers Lynden Hosking, SupaBox; Pat Connolly, Bendigo Amateur Boxing Club; and Danniel Burton, Hit Factory have joined forces for the show.
“There are 15 confirmed Bendigo boxers on the card,” said Burton.
“Boxing is growing in popularity, not just in Bendigo, but across the state.
“The latest Amateur Association tournament in Brunswick had 32 bouts and was run over two sessions.
“Having a Silver Gloves tournament here is great for all the Bendigo boxers who regularly travel to Melbourne or other parts of Victoria to compete.”
He said there is rivalry between the three Bendigo gyms, but also a desire to help “each other out” in terms of sparring.
Burton said the Silver Gloves would be key lead-up to the state titles starting in late October.
A six-time national champion, Lynden Hosking fought at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was a bronze medallist in the welterweight (67kg) division at the ’98 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Boxing stars trained by Pat Connolly at his California Gully gym include Lynden and Scott Hosking, and Justin Whitehead.
The club’s contenders at Silver Gloves include Boedan Nelson, 57kg; Dino Rafaeles, 54kg; and Blake Broughton, 78kg.
At SupaBox, Lynden Hosking is playing a key role in training Danny Taggert, 64kg; Jocelyn Amiet, 54kg; Martin Lord, 69kg; and Ewen Jones, 75kg.
Hit Factory will roll out Lachie Johnson, 50kg; Jye Caldwell, 52kg; Tom Fitzgerald, 52kg; Jordy Garland, 64kg; Sam Walters, 69kg; Jake Brand and Mitch Smith, 75kg; Brett Bransgrove, 81kg; and Ezra White, 91kg in Silver Gloves bouts.
Early-bird tickets to the September 8 tournament are $20 and available at hitfactoryboxing.com.au or at Kick Shoes in Bath Lane, Bendigo.