Eric Kyanga suffers knockout loss at Australian Championships

Over the weekend young Nagle Catholic College student Eric ‘EJ’ Kyanga became Geraldton’s first under 19 state boxing representative in 20 years.

Kyanga competed at the Underage Australian Championships in Victoria, but was beaten in his first fight, stopped by his opponent with less than 20 seconds left of the final round.

The first round was close with Kyanga narrowly losing on points, his work rate not quite high enough to best his opponent.

Although no solid blows were landed by either, Kyanga’s opponent grew in confidence in the second as he landed a couple of good shots from awkward angles putting two counts on Kyanga, his opponent growing in confidence and having superior stamina.

Kyanga came out with a bit more urgency in third, pressuring his opponent but with 30 seconds to go Kyanga caught a few clean shots and the ref called a halt to proceedings.

Kyanga’s coach Jake Peacock had praise for his young charge.

“Eric has performed tremendously well to get to where he is in such a short time and I look forward to seeing where he goes to from here,” he said.

This was Kyanga’s 13th fight in less than a year, his 11th under competitive rules and has proven his skills having won State and regional belts in previous outings.

The championships continue over the weekend in Melbourne.