TWO of Bendigo's youngest boxers have had their first experience of international competition.
Hit Factory young guns Sammy Kay, 13, and Steve Schenk, 15, were in Canberra last weekend to compete against the New Zealand national under-age team.
The visiting Kiwis were brought to Australia by Regional Boxing Victoria Inc, but with no venue able to accommodate the show, it was instead hosted in Canberra.
The organisation's Danniel Burton, who is also head coach/trainer at the Hit Factory Boxing gym in Golden Square, said this gave the boxers the opportunity to stay at the AIS and take part in a camp at the combat centre the day after the competition.
Twenty-five boxers from New Zealand, aged 12 to 18, made the trip, many of then national title holders.
Kay, who normally competes at 44kg, moved up to 46kg, but controlled his match by landing more scoring shots and the bigger blows, to claim a win.
Schenk, who competed in the junior 75kg class, faced a massive task in just his fourth bout, against the more-experienced Pierce Collins.
"It's a long day, up at 5.30am and a drive to Canberra, lots of waiting around and the getting in the ring at 10pm at night," said Burton about Schenk's experience.
"His NZ counterpart did have a slight advantage of getting in a few days earlier.
"But that's boxing and that's how things can happen. You must be prepared for all situations.
"Steven started very slow,(and) just couldn't get firing.
"It took a rev up after the second round, but Steven finished the third round on top, hurting his opponent with lots of body shots."
Burton said it was a great experience for both boxers, to get an international fight and to back it up on the Sunday with a three-hour training session.
"It is all a great lead up to Victorian team selections on the September 22 in Burwood," he said.
"That's the big one win - selections and advance on to nationals on the Gold Coast in October.
"We already have Milli Woods through now we hope to get these two over the line also."
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