Ring stars fighting way to top

Four rising stars of the ring, from this region, are planning the next steps in their quest for more titles.

Vegas Larfield, Beck Hawker, Liam Wilson and Brooke Cooper (pictured above from left) have all had stunning victories recently.

Promoters and managers are now working on their next fights – some will be steps along a well-chosen path, others may be for world titles.

Liam Wilson, who grew up at Caboolture, lives in Griffin and trains at All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton, is eyeing a world title shot.

Ranked four by the World Boxing Organisation, the 26-year-old is in line for an eliminator or a fight for the super featherweight crown.

It is currently held by unbeaten American Shakur Stevenson, who faces world number two Robson Conceica on September 23 – and may then move up to lightweight.

If Stevenson switches, Wilson could get a crack at the vacant title in the next six months. He has already won the Australian, IBF Youth, WBO International and Asia Pacific titles.

Vegas Larfield, also at All Star Boxing and living in Redcliffe, confirmed his star status by demolishing of Sunardi Gamboa at Eatons Hill Hotel nine days ago.

Now unbeaten in seven fights, Larfield put the Indonesian down in the second and the third with a superb right. The referee immediately stopped the fight. TV commentators were so impressed one said "the world's his oyster".

The International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Oceania-Orient Super Bantamweight title now join his Australian and Australasian featherweight belts. Larfield's next fight is awaited with growing interest.

“It shows all the hard work is paying off,” the 20-year-old said on Kayo, “we’re taking steps in the right direction.

“I’ll be back in the gym Monday. I’ve got the right team and I’m coming for everything at the top. I’m not here to be alright - I’m here to be great.”

Beck Hawker, the unbeaten former Caboolture resident, had top billing on the same ACE Boxing show and delivered a “flawless” performance, said commentators.

The 31-year-old dominated England’s Hollie Towl, who was also unbeaten, to win the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) featherweight crown.

Two judges gave Hawker all 10 rounds, a third gave her nine of the 10. In six fights she has won Queensland, Australian, Australasian belts and now a world crown.

“It’s amazing,” Hawker said on Kayo, “I thought it was a great fight. I’ll take time to rest, then go again, I’ll fight whoever.

“This is just the start for me. I want to keep going. I’ve got four belts and I want to keep going. I want more.”

Victory will boost her ranking and aim for more lucrative WBA (World Boxing Association) and IBF (International Boxing Federation) contests.

Brooke Cooper added another muay thai title to her growing collection with a unanimous decision over Claire Baxter late last month.

Cooper, a two-time muay thai world champion who trains at Kaos Martial Arts in Morayfield, is the new Eruption Super Lightweight title holder.

However, she is also the Australian Super Lightweight boxing champion after winning three of her first four professional bouts.

The Burpengary resident is now looking at options to fight in both codes possibly in November and December.

All Star Boxing Academy's Ben Hussain will be defending his IBO Oceania Orient title on Thursday (September 15) in No Limit promotion at Nissan Arena, Nathan.

Stablemate Miles Zalewski will face Australian lightweight champion Harry Garside on the same show, where Paul Gallen takes on Paul Hannant and Justin Hodges.