By Tania Phillips
Two young Warwick boxers are the region’s latest state champions winning the Australian Boxing Council Queensland State Titles at Deception Bay in Brisbane at the weekend.
Coach Damian Lawler said Charlie Box and Landon Moore put in strong performances in the ring to clinch the titles.
“Landon had two fights in the one day – he had to fight in the semi-finals at 5.30pm and then he had to back up and fight the final at about at 7.30pm competing in the Light Welter Division 63.5kg,” Lawler said.
“He took out his first fight in a unanimous decision and then had unanimous decision in the second one as well. He beat a kid from Toowoomba in the first fight from Smithy’s Gym in and then he defeated a Sunshine Coast fighter for the title. He fought so well, he was absolutely brilliant. He was a credit to himself.”
Charlie Box didn’t have a semi final to contend with, fighting in a straight final to take his title in the Welterweight Division, 67kg beating a Brisbane fighter.
“All the opponents that they fought were nice classy, really good boxers,” Lawler said.
“And it wasn’t that our boxers had it all their own way, they actually had to fight for it – really fight for it too – they were all pretty close decisions really.”
It was a nervous wait for Lawler who couldn’t be there for the bouts and had to rely on reports, videos and messages to see how the young boxers were going.
“It’s the first State titles that I’ve actually missed since I’ve been coach,” Lawler admitted.
“Jackson McMahon, who is the assistant coach, he was the lead coach on this one and he nailed it. The boys looked good, they looked comfortable. He did everything he was supposed to do as well. They were very composed, they weren’t too nervous – inside they were probably like ducks on a pond, but on the outside they looked calm which was so good to see.”
Three of the Warwick Boxing Club members will now head on the Australian League Boxing Titles at the end of the year at Gosford on the NSW Central Coast with Kye Lawler joining Box and Moore. It will be part of a busy end of the year for the young boxers.
“The titles are being held on 27-30 of November and we have a big State of Origin event coming up as well on 12 October,” he said.
“Landon will be taking on a NSW boxer at that event at Burleigh on the Gold Coast. It promises to be a good one.
“Warwick Boxing is actually taking four fighters to that hopefully.”
