Local boxers grab SA gold

MONTHS of hard work has paid off for Mildura’s boxers, as new state champions were crowned at last weekend’s South Australian state titles.

Ladd’s Boxing Club sent a team of seven fighters, who won six gold in one of their most impressive state titles to date.

Hamish Berry went to war with his long-term rival Johee Joyce, from Mount Gambier’s Dwyer’s Boxing Club.

Both fighters refused to give ground before Berry was crowned the winner.

Gab Toutai, Lainesia Toutai, Charlie Cooper and Raiden Tyson all won their fights by walk over with no fighters in their category, however, Gab was granted a special bout, which he won by first round stoppage.

After securing a walk over win, Cooper stepped up a weight class to face a bigger opponent, executing his game plan to a tee but narrowly losing a decision.

Young Robert Burns continued his hot streak once again stopping his opponent early to become state champ.

Henry Toutai had a tougher day in the office rematching hard-hitting Thomas Riddle and losing by stoppage in the third.

Coach Jackson Ladd said it was great to see the team improve on last year’s performance.

“We walked away with six gold medals which is better than last year, where we had two silver and four gold.”

The Boxing Cartel also had a successful weekend, going three for three with Brad Thompson and Luke and Rhys Hutchinson all taking out gold.

In the under-15s division, Rhys won his semi-finals on the Saturday, before stepping up for the final and stopping his opponent in the second round.

Both Luke and Thompson were unable to find matches in their divisions and as a result won by walk over.

Thompson, who had been out of the ring for more than a year-and-a-half was able to fight a special bout, losing a close decision in the elite open division.

Coach Nick Wakefield said that as a new club, it was nice to experience success at state titles.

“For our first state titles, to go three from three, I’m pretty happy, I am proud of all my fighters,” he said.

“We just want to keep doing our best and winning medals.

“We’ve got a few people in the gym that are training and staying consistent; seeing these guys get their gold medals just motivates them more.”

Iron Fist put two fighters forward but came up short in tough divisions.

Nicholas McWilliams went up two weight divisions to find a match fighting competitive rounds but ultimately was out-muscled by his far bigger opponent.

Meanwhile, Egemen Keleser lost a decision to slick Adelaide boxer Stan Magix who went on to win the open title.

“It wasn’t a winning weekend for us, but I am proud of the boys and the effort they put in,” head coach Buster McWilliams said.

“We had a great weekend and we now look ahead to either December or early next year.”