Lawson Folly has made a winning start to his boxing career in Timaru.
The 17-year-old, from Victory Boxing, stepped out in the 85kg youth section and hung tough over the three rounds to beat local rival Paiaka Taha.
Ten-year-old Toby Fleming also made the trip to the Timaru Boxing Association tournament to contest the 46kg mini cadet class over three, one and a half minute, rounds.
“While he didn’t win, Toby took good learnings from the bout,” says Victory Boxing head coach Sam Barrett.
The Nelson community gym is building up a sizeable stable of young boxers wanting to compete in the ring.
“We have 10 to 15 in training. Boxing is my jam and I am loving it at Victory,” declares Sam, who originally came from a Muay Thai martial arts background.
The next goal for several of the local fighters is the Papanui Boxing Club’s Heavy Hitters tournament on Saturday, while the more experienced Sateki Abbot-Havili plans to head to the national championships in Whanganui, at the end of the month, for the 80kg elite men’s division.
