Geraldton boxers eye next bouts after big weekend for local fight scene at State titles, Kalgoorlie

Geraldton boxers are excited for the future after a huge weekend for the local fight scene last week saw them claim State golds and a silver.

Peacocks Boxing Gym/Hurtslea Courage fighter Tane Hough is due to be next up, fighting in the WA State Novice titles in February after qualifying for the big dance by winning two cruiserweight bouts in Perth on Saturday and Sunday.

Hough’s trainer Jake Peacock said Hough showed progression over the weekend.

After combating his quarterfinal opponent with strength in the first fight, Hough took second the fight with his opponent weighing in 1kg over the limit.

“He jabbed, slipped, rolled and pivoted his way to victory,” Peacock said.

“He stuck to the game plan, took some power off most of his punches, and landed some rips to the body that even I felt.”

Junior Peacocks fighter Eric Kyanga was the first to take a belt at the titles, bloodying Perth boxer Jackson Rowe’s nose early on and winning their 86kg-and-over bout by unanimous decision.

Skybox fighters Sarah Butler beat teammate Lauren Norris in the final of their division.

Coach Teegan Webb said both acquitted themselves well.

“Both fighters performed exceptionally well, and we are excited to see their skills and confidence progress in the new year,” Webb said.

Geraldton Boxing Centre fighters are now preparing for a big local fight night, after team fighter Gary Bull kept an unbeaten pro record intact in Kalgoorlie on the weekend.

Bull fought Pacific MMA’s Jeremy Clayton to a split-decision draw in a bout he said was “war”.

Bull, who traces his Romani lineage back to 1903 British and European Bantamweight champion George “Digger” Stanley, has a pro win and a draw without ever competing in amateurs.

He said he would have time off over Christmas and then start training for next year’s Fists of Fury 3 event.

“The fight was a war,” Bull said.

“We went toe-to-toe and got the crowd on their feet.

“Next fight I’m hoping to further improve my skills and just have some fun.”

He said boxing, and team coach Paul Barrett, had “changed my life”.

Teammate “Irish” Denis Taylor said he would also be in training for Fists of Fury following a split-decision loss at the event.