Geraldton boxers Jack Clifford and Tane Hough win division titles at National Club Championships in Adelaide

Several Mid West fighters tasted success in the ring at the National Club Championships in Adelaide last weekend, signalling the growing reach of the sport in the region.

Two local fighters came away with club championships in their division.

The five Mid West boxers who competed at the event against some of Australia’s top amateur fighters were Jack Clifford and Sarah Butler from the SkyBox team, and Tane Hough, Eric Kyanga and Frauke Rawlings from the Peacock’s Boxing Gym team.

Clifford, the most experienced of the local boxers, made the final of his division in the men’s open elite 67kg against a quality fighter and battled through a high-paced bout, in which he set the tempo from the opening bell. He came away with a unanimous decision and was awarded the title belt to add to his collection.

Clifford recently competed with the WA boxing team in the Commonwealth Games selection tournament.

Two-time WA novice State titleholder, Butler was pitted against a skilled opponent in the first semifinal and unfortunately didn’t win. However, she secured a special bout in the intermediate division, dropping weight to the 66kg class. Butler kept her range, boxed clever and claimed an exciting win.

SkyBox trainer and owner Teegan Webb could not be prouder of her team “seeing both our boxers getting their hands raised, having the opportunity to compete against some of the country’s best fighters in their divisions”.

Jake Peacock from Peacock’s Boxing Gym’s three competing fighters — Hough at heavyweight, Kyanga (who was coming down to the 80kg bracket) and young but experienced Rawlings — also did themselves and their club proud.

Hough won his first Australian club championships in empathic style, getting a knockout in less than a minute. The strong Kiwi stalked his opponent, leading with a faint jab and when his Northern Territory opponent tried to parry, Hough dropped an almighty right hand that felled his opponent to the canvas with a thud. The referee called an immediate halt and Hough was the new Australian club champion for his division.

Kyanga came down from 86kg to fight at 80kg and was pitted against tough NSW fighter Omar Abdullah, who ultimately won. In Kyanga’s second bout of the tournament he moved up to 86kg, though still only weighing 80kg, and was back to his normal slick self. He pressed forward the whole time and it appeared that he would get the win, but the decision went the other way.

Peacock said: “Eric has learnt a lot from this experience and will only benefit him as he is well on his way in his boxing journey.”

In Hough’s second fight, he stepped up and took on an open elite fighter. Hough was competitive, however, the referee issued three counts and it was called to a halt in the second round.

Nagle Catholic College student Rawlings once again impressed, but was unfortunately unable to secure an opponent at her weight and age. Making the brave decision to take on two open elite fighters, Rawlings faced Fiona Normayle from Perth in her first fight.

An impressive display of skill was shown by both. In Rawlings’ second bout, she gave away reach and weight, but this suited her better and she was pinning her opponent on to the ropes, unleashing a vicious left hook, which brought the referee into play issuing an eight count. Peacock said this was “another impressive display” from Rawlings.