Gloving up for All Star fight night

Pictured: All Star Boxing Academy fighters, top row from left: Stewart Taggart, Wayne Faapito, Jeremiah Toimoana, Jai Dixon. Bottom row from left: Thomas Haworth, Darcy O'Malley, Paul Utia Jnr, Noah Harhoff.

Seconds out, it’s show time again at All Star Boxing Academy which is counting down to its first fight night the year.

Professionals, amateurs, juniors and debutants from the Lawnton gym will feature at Norths Leagues and Services Club in Kallangur on Saturday, March 29.

Top-of-the-bill is super middleweight (76kgs) Wayne Faapito, who is unbeaten in his first two pro bouts and now faces Jonathan Tuhu.

All Star stablemate Jake Sproules is set to make his professional boxing debut in a tough fight against Luke “Mad Dog” Martin, from Cooroy,

Ben Harrington, owner and coach at All Star Boxing Academy, said 15 or more amateur bouts would precede the pro fights.

“Some kids will be having their first fight,” Ben said, “and we’ll have some really experienced amateurs, like Jai Dixon.

“We’re flying a kid up from Victoria, I believe, for that fight. Jai is a senior Australian champion and it’s hard to get fights, so we’re flying someone up.

“It’ll be a big range on the night - really good youths and juniors, kids starting out, schoolboys and sub juniors.”

Many are following the same All Star Boxing pathway as Liam Wilson, who has twice fought for world titles and rising star Vegas Larfield.

Wilson and Larfield had impressive points victories in Brisbane earlier this month. Wilson is being tipped for a third world title fight.

“It’s a competitive environment and the strength of the gym is down to systems in place for a long time,” Ben said. “Competition breeds excellence.”

The coach said All Star Boxers to watch out for this year include Paul Utia Jnr, Darcy O’Malley, Tom Hayworth, Taj Harrington and Stuart Taggart.

“All have boxed internationally and juniors and youths and will do so again this year,” Ben said,

All Star Boxing runs everything from pee wees (5-10 years) and general fitness classes to high-level amateurs and professionals.

Its fighters have won numerous awards including best junior fighter in Australia and best sub-junior girl fighter in Australia.

For more on All Star Boxing Academy's fight night visit www.facebook.com/allstarboxingacademy