Big Ben's News

Big Bens Boxing Team – Laverton August 1

We had 5 boxers compete in a Boxing Victoria event at Laverton Community Centre on August 1.  Cassie Pruden competed in a “no-decision” bout.  Daniel Gibson won his debut fight.  Oscar Ledlin, Kaleb Kozak and Bert Martingale lost their bouts. 

Congratulations to all of our five boxers who fought their hearts out on the day.  Although the three losses was disappointing for them individually and for our team, the experience they gained from competing and the pride that we have in their effort and performance far outweighs the result.

Experience has shown me that dedication and a passionate and positive attitude to boxing results in success.  In five of the past six years our boxing team has had a positive win/loss record.  In 2010 our boxing team remain on track with a win/loss record of 4-3.

 

Professional Fighters should be inspired by our Commonwealth Games Boxing Team

Congratulations to the boxers and their respective coaches on their Commonwealth Games selection.

I have been inspired reading various articles on the internet about Damien Hooper from Queensland, Australia’s Commonwealth Game’s middleweight representative.  To cut a long story short, it’s about a teenager who was often in trouble with the law, taken under the wings of a boxing coach/police constable, gone on to compete and succeed against the best amateur boxers in our country to earn his spot in our Commonwealth Games team.

All of Australia’s Commonwealth Games boxers are dedicated and talented individuals who had to compete and succeed against the best amateurs in the country to earn the right to compete in New Delhi in October this year.  Our nation’s boxers are rewarded with a sense of pride and achievement…..but no money.

Too many professional boxers, on the other hand, refuse to compete against other boxers of similar experience and ability.  They can win a world title without even having fought a top 5 contender in their weight division.  They defend their world titles against opponents who have been long-retired or are not in the same class.  And then they proclaim to the world about how great they are and how they are cementing their legacy in the sport…what a joke!

The problem is this.  The high profile professional boxers are setting the example for our upcoming, local professional fighters and their trainers.  Instead of focusing on training, improvement, and development, the local fighter and his team scour the database of Boxrec for opponents who have never won a fight.  And by the way, they expect to be paid well for this fight.  There is no doubt in my mind that the behaviour of the “ABC” Cruiserweight Champion of the World influences the behaviour our upcoming local professional boxers.

The Gold Medallist boxer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics had to beat the best boxers from Russia, Cuba and so on.  The IBF professional Welterweight world champion has only fought one of the top 10 boxers in his division – and by the way, he lost that fight. 

Who deserves more recognition?  The Gold Medallist boxer from the 2008 Beijing Olympics or the IBF Welterweight World Champion who has only fought one of the top 10 boxers in his division?

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Contact: Ben Chua, 03 8796 3071 or 0419 118 976

18 Whatley St, Carrum, Vic, Australia