When Riwaka local George Milne talks about his journey training for Fight for Rangatahi II, the words he uses are “life-changing”.
Following a successful sell-out event last year, Fight for Rangatahi makes a return to Motueka next weekend with a new line-up of boxers taking to the ring.
George attended the event last year to support his mate who was getting in the ring and thought, ‘Yeah, that’s something I want to be part of’.
So he began training. At 108kg he set himself a goal weight to get down to 95kg and says, with hard work, he reached that goal earlier this month.
“My journey to this point has been life-changing - clean eating, no refined sugars, intermittent fasting, I haven’t been slaying the beers after mahi and I’ve been head down, ass up, training with Dixon’s Boxing,” he says.
George and his opponent will be just one of 21 scheduled bouts across both amateur and corporate events at the Motueka Recreation Centre on Saturday, 10 August.
Current NZ Elite flyweight champion Ashley Belk will headline the event with her opponent, two-time Australian golden gloves champion, Skye Wienert.
The pair met in Australia last year where Ashley was the victor, but Skye has since moved to a new coach, who is bringing a whole team across the ditch for the event.
Dixon’s Boxing owner Randall Dixon says Ash was an easy choice being a current NZ champion and one of the most experienced boxers in the region.
Jesse Newton will kick-off the night at 6pm, and Randall says at 14-year-old he’s a “firecracker” who the crowd will love.
“He’s worked hard and he deserves this opportunity.”
Randall says the buy-in from the community last year was phenomenal and he is seeing the same support this year.
Last year’s event enabled Dixon’s Boxing to subsidise fees for their youth programmes, provide gear for training, and help with travel costs for rangatahi to compete in events around the country.
“We’re aware things are hard and some whānau can’t afford stuff like this.”
For George, the biggest challenge has been preparing mentally.
“Overcoming my weight was a big one, you know, because I was the biggest I’ve ever been at one point. So, being mentally prepared for it, but there’s also an overwhelming sense not to let everyone down.”
Randall says his whole team has worked hard, and the night promises good entertainment.
Dixon’s Boxing has once again partnered with Hotel Motueka to run the event. With less than 50 general admission tickets left, those wanting to attend will need to secure them soon.
Tickets are available here.
