All Stars have gold-en glow at national titles

All Star Boxing Academy has eight new national champions after returning from the 2022 Underage Australian titles laden with medals.

Representing Queensland, fighters from the gym at Pine Rivers Showground in Lawnton, won eight gold and two silver at the championships at the Whitehorse Club, Melbourne from July 7-9.

All Stars’ Aaron Grealey and Mackenzie Allan were also named fighters of the tournament and Jye Dixon earned a trip to the world titles.

Queensland won the Best Team awards for Youth Male, Youth Female, Junior and Under 15s.

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Of this state’s 21 gold medals, All Star Boxing Academy won eight, matching the state of Victoria and more than West Australia (5) and New South Wales (4).

“It was a very good result,” Paul Utai, the academy’s head coach of amateur boxing, said. “Probably the best I’ve seen as a coach.

“I think preparation was the key. It was very good and I honestly expected us to have some success in Melbourne.

“All the hours in the gym and the sacrifices paid off. We are proud of all of them.”

All Star’s gold medal winners were:

Bailey Goiris (Under 15 Men 38kg) – won a unanimous decision (UD) in the final against a Victorian opponent.

Stewart Taggart (Under 15 Men 44kg) – beat his Victorian opponent with a UD in the semi-final and repeated it against a West Australian in the final.

Mackenzie Allen (Under 15 women 46kg) – scored a UD in the final against a West Australian opponent and was named the tournament’s Best Under 15 Female Boxer.

Jaspaa Stowers (Under 15 Men 48kg) – won a UD in the semis against a Tasmanian and took gold when his final opponent pulled out of the contest.

Thomas Haworth (Under 15 Men 52kg) – won a split decision from the judges in the semis and UD in the final to beat South Australia and West Australian opponents respectively.

Jye Dixon (Youth Men 48kg) – had a walkover in the final to take the gold and is now off to the Youth World titles later this year.

Craig Evers (Youth Men 57kg) – won the gold medal with a UD in the final.

Aaron Grealey (Youth Men 60kg) – the Queensland team captain won a thrilling semi-final with a UD against an opponent who had twice beaten him.

Grealey defeated a fighter from NSW with the same decision in the final and was then named Youth Men’s Boxer of the tournament.

All Star coach Paul Utai said Grealey’s ability to change tactics and adapt to challenges fights was a key to the award.

All Star’s silver medal winners were:

Chaise Courtenay (Under 15 Men 54kg) – lost UD, won silver and gained good experience but saw a remarkable run of 15 victories come to an end.

Tahlea Toohey (Youth Women 63kg) – lost a majority decision in the final and came home with a silver medal.

Under 15 contests were held over three 90-second rounds while the Youth contests were over three three-minute rounds.