Australian Boxing/SM Memorial thread

Billal Akkaway vs Mateo Tapia? After a couple of warms ups of course.

 

* Zerafa vs Hardman set for Wed April 6 .
* 5 x Aust AM Champ Jason Mallia to make pro debut this Sat.
* Lenny Zappavigna vs Jayar Inson for vacant WBO Oriental 147 lb Title . Chance for Zaps to regain a world ranking Maloney Dec 21 undercard.

 

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news...l/news-story/97d6b9789e06dbdc0cdd0c3e8f9c55c9

How boxing saved the life of new Australian champ Dana Coolwell
He’s the Beerwah boy who overcame personal tragedy to become an Australian champion and now Dana Coolwell is ready to punch his way onto the world stage.


He turned to boxing as a lost teenager grieving the sudden death of his father and now Dana Coolwell has his sights on a world title.

Coolwell, 22, became the Australian super featherweight champion with an upset defeat of Miles Zalewski in the 10th round on Saturday, December 4.

Nine years before Coolwell’s fateful left hook stood a boy who’d just lost his father and was staring down a path of trouble.

A Beerwah Bulldogs rugby league club junior, Coolwell rocked up at Hinterland Boxing Club aged 13.

He was a lost little boy who would go on to earn the nickname ‘Deadly’.

It was there he threw his first flurry of punches under the then-stunned eyes of coach Steve Pitt and a career was born.

Saturday marked Coolwell’s seventh professional win and the “best of his career”.

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It came following nine rounds of a jab-focused game plan punched to precision.

“I knew I was up on the scorecards and I caught with him a check hook in the 10th and that was it,” Coolwell said.

“It’s a massive step for me and my career. Just a great result for my team.”

Pitt, 43, said Coolwell “iced” Zalewski with a late hook.

The young star who grew up idolising Floyd Mayweather, Pernell Whitaker, Lionel Rose and Sugar Ray Leonard, said he wants to be world champion by 25.

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“Next year I want to get a regional title and get those bigger fights. But a Commonwealth belt and a world title is the big picture. In the next three to five years, it’s a long journey,” the Indigenous boxer said.

Pitt said Coolwell was destined for greatness.

“Some people can fight well but not talk well, some the opposite, but his kid has it all,” Pitt said.

“You can have people in the crowd who end up being fans of him after watching him.

“He’s a lovely kid, big smile, soft nature, people just gravitate towards him, you just want to be around him.”

How Dana Coolwell overcame family tragedy

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Dana Coolwell sparing at Hinterland Boxing Club in Beerwah. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Coolwell was 13 when his father Russell Coolwell died suddenly in 2012.

Less than six months later he’d joined the boxing gym and a year, almost to the day, he had his first fight.

He was reluctant to discuss how his father died but he said the rugged, often unforgiving sport saved him from another, troublesome life.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without boxing. I’d have gone down a bad path, probably running amok,” Coolwell said.

“Steve (and boxing) has had a massive influence on me.

“He’s been there for so much of my personal life, he’s definitely a father figure, friend and a great coach too.”

Pitt remembered a quiet teenager who had no idea of the punching powers he had in his locker.

“When he walked in, I just remember him watching on and I asked him if he wanted to spar another of the boys, and he punched the **** out of him,” Pitt said.

“At the time, he’d just lost his dad and was in that transition period of going from a boy to a man.

“I’m hugely proud of him. I’m just grateful to be part of his journey.”

Pitt said Coolwell was a “graduate from the school of hard knocks”.

“Nothing has been given to him. His resilience he’s just built up and it’s paying off,” he said.

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Why Coolwell is “one of 1000”
Pitt’s strict training regimen means Coolwell is up before dawn six, sometimes seven, mornings a week for road runs or sprint training well before the Hinterland Boxing Club doors officially open.

The morning workouts are one of two daily sessions.

But in the nine years they’ve been together Coolwell has a 100 per cent attendance record.

“He was two minutes late for training once. He arrived in his undies and full of apologies,” Pitt laughed.

“He never questions anything I ask of him. And he’ll never stop working.”

Coolwell admitted to having accidentally hit snooze when the alarm rang out.

“I woke up about 10 minutes before the session started and just threw on some clothes, I had shoes but no socks on and sprinted to the gym,” he said.

“Luckily we lived only five minutes away.”

Pitt said Coolwell’s success was of his own making.

“You could have 1000 kids or more come through before you find another Dana, this kid is destined for greatness and I’m so proud he chose me,” Pitt said.

 

Is Dib-Ng still happening?

I didn't realise Jacob had such a high ranking with 2 organisations.

 

Not sure mate. I like watching the Flamingo fight but I think he needs to shore up that defence when he steps up the opposition.

 

Yeah mate he is a likable young lad.

Fights a little Corrales-ish, doesn't really utilise his height how you would traditionally expect. Good viewing value but I think he isn't going to struggle at the next level.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Dib managed to knock him out after all he is packing that QLD glass

 

* Tszyu promoter No Limit have jetted off to US to discuss a potential world title eliminator to face the winner on Charlo vs Castano rematch Feb 26. Tony Harrison and Terrell Gausha possible opponents.
* Speculation is growing is Kambosos Jr will opt for voluntary defense in Aust before facing Haney. Brock Jarvis and Jacob Ng possible opponents though Ng is contracted to fight Billy Dib in March.

 

A couple of big stories here that make sense to me. Junior v Harrison or Gausha on the Charlo v Castano undercard is a logical next step for Timbo Slice. It's a completely different caper fighting over there. Expect no favours & no safety nets. A fair shake is the best you will get but don't count on it.

I'd thought about George v Brock Jarvis as a showcase fight for George. I like the idea of it. I'd prefer to see Brock get well paid for losing his 'O' than to lose it for chump change against some random scrubber.

I think it's been a while since we had two Australians fighting each other in a world title fight. Barry v Lester in A Melbourne Story. Why not George v Brock in A Sydney Story?

Make a voluntary defence against Brock out here then back to Las Vegas to fight Haney.

 

I agree Jarvo is fun to watch but he will lose to a hardnosed Mexican or Filo journeyman/fringe contender before he gets to a title shot. He very nearly did in his last fight.
Like you said gets a good payday, George lifts his profile in Oz and they can always just say "well he was fighting a division to high, let's regroup and try again at 130"

Though I did think Micky Katsidas was heading that way and he really overachieved.

 

* Lack of suitable sparring partners has meant Justi Huni left Fri for the States for a 2 week training camp with Justine Fortune and then weather permiting a 2 week training camp with Abel Sanchez at Big Bear. This will do wonders for Huni development and he will then will return to prepare for Goodall in Feb.
* Bruno Tarimo
https://boxing-social.com/features/tarimo-confident-of-barrett-win/

 

Good news Justis is back sparring. Hopefully the hand recovery has gone well.

 

Tarimo sparred plenty of rounds with Coolwell in the lead up to this. Hope he gets it done.

 

How did the fight with Coolwell-Wylie go down lads?

Was it controversial?

 

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