FROM the rookies to the chiseled hands of those experienced at ring craft – local boxers have been finding their mark at a series of tournaments.
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Headlining the action has been Mitchell ‘the White Lion’ Whitelaw – just don’t call him Kimba – whose promising career as a professional is about to step up to a whole new level when he fights Yamba’s Adam Stowe for the NSW light heavyweight title on November 10.
That will be at the Seagulls club at Tweed Heads and it is a fight neither Mitchell or Adam were overly keen on as they are good mates outside of the ropes.
They have met once before, where Mitchell got the nod on split points.
Nambucca trainer Ian ‘Sparra’ Stapleton said Mitchell’s title quest would be broadcast at a later time by FoxSports.
Meanwhile, at the local Fight Night at the Bowling Club, Sparra’s charges had mixed success – though all showed promise.
Sixteen-year-old Jesse Simpson had a good first-up fight against Coffs’ Clancy Webber, but lost on points. The wily Dale Strachan fought a much younger opponent, who pipped the veteran on a split points decision.
Fourteen-year-old Peter Conroy – who hails from Bellingen and trains at Nambucca Heads – had his debut fight and lost that in a line-ball split points decision to Grady Spokes from Sawtell.
Promising amateur Jay Melrose continued his impressive run with a unanimous points decision over Sam McKechnie from Grafton.
On the pro card, Mitchell Whitelaw went into the night with a two win-one draw record and faced journeyman Aswin Cabuy (19 wins-70 losses-four draws).
Mitchell won every round and the bout – with all three judges marking it 40-36.
Then at a promotion at Coffs Harbour Racecourse, youngsters Peter Conroy and Jesse Simpson recorded their first wins.
Peter had a rematch with Grady Spokes, and proved far too good winning by unanimous points in a 70kg exchange, while Jesse came out swinging to get the decision against Maitland’s Callum Mudd.
Peter Conroy had a rematch with Grady Spokes, and proved far too good
Finally, Jay Melrose had to overcome the crowd and David Wright in the main amateur event at Gunnedah. Wright was on the stage in his hometown, but Jay landed a big overhead right near the end of the first round which brought a standing eight count.
“And he stayed on the top in the second until they stopped it one minute and 38 into the round,” Sparra said.
