Mixed fortunes for Geraldton boxers in Northam championship fight night

Northam hosted a championship night of boxing with Geraldton locals Tane Hough and Eric “EJ “ Kyanga in title bouts on Saturday, but with mixed results.

Hough came up against current youth State champ Luke Kent in what proved to be a hard, bruising battle of attrition.

Kent came out swinging landing some good power shots, while the tough Kiwi was landing well with his jab but was struggling to cope with Kent’s aggressive posture.

It was one way traffic in the third round with Kent dominating the first half, before in typical fashion, Hough left nothing in the tank to mount a late fightback.

He landed a good right hand left hook combo and continued to pour on the pressure, drawing blood from Kent’s nose. However it was too little, too late as the Kiwi went down in a unanimous decision.

Coach Jake Peacock said he expected Hough to bounce back.

“Tane was a bit flat on the night, his usual sharpness wasn’t there,” he said.

“We’ll learn heaps from these tough fights, and I reckon the decision will be reversed next time these two meet in a few weeks.“

Meanwhile Kyanga took on Northam fighter Eli Jennison in a light heavyweight title fight.

Kyanga’s ring entrance was confident and controlled. The crowd was balanced with the home support nearly matched by Kyanga’s travelling supporters.

The new weight division suited Kyanga, being lighter and quicker on his feet. The result seemed never in doubt as Kyanga unleashed a flurry of blows in the third, inflicting an eight count as he rocked his opponent’s head back with another right.

The decision was unanimous as Kyanga came away with his third title in eight fights.

Kyanga saved his best moves until after the fight when he performed a cheeky little jig for his supporters which brought cheers from the whole crowd.

Peacock was immensely proud.

“Eric listens, this kid has a bright future, he’s a natural. Whatever he chooses to achieve from his boxing is only limited by himself,” he said.

Kyanga is fighting again this weekend in his first three-by-three-minute round fight as he looks to secure a spot in the State under-19 team to compete at the nationals in Melbourne.

Another of Peacock’s boxing gym fighters Frauke Rawlings is also looking to secure a spot in the State team, preparing for a State title fight.