Rotorua boxers shine at Golden Gloves

The North Island Golden Gloves attracted a record number of boxers and a small, determined contingent from Rotorua stepped up to show their skills.

Sykes Boxing Gym had four young men in attendance at the event, held in Taupō last weekend, and they all impressed.

Tyson Corbett, 16, won gold in the junior male 66kg category, River Royal, 23, won the elite men's 81kg category, Tommy Tapsell, 16, was second in the youth men's 75kg category and Ali Corbett was a walk over for the 46kg cadet division.

Their coach Mike Sykes said his boxers' efforts were "awesome".

"These are all young fighters and we almost had four winners. All these guys, they're good boys and they all listen. What I look for [when choosing boxers to take to championship events] is the ones who show up for training rain, hail or snow. Those are the ones you want to pay attention to, the dedicated boxers," Sykes said.

Sykes Boxing Gym boxers Tommy Tapsell (left), River Royal, Tyson Corbett and Ali Corbett impressed at the North Island Golden Gloves in Taupō. Photo / Ben Fraser

As well as teaching the ins and outs of what to do in the ring, Sykes' focus was on helping his boxers become good men and women.

"We teach them manners and being humble, we want them to be good people. It teaches them good work ethic and caring for other people too. When people come here to the gym they all shake hands."

He said the event itself, which included more than 120 bouts, was huge and Tyson's fight was a highlight.

"He fought an Aussie and that was the fight of the whole tournament, the whole crowd went crazy. Tyson really dug in and gave it everything he had. The Aussie was a real classy boxer and Tyson is a really keen young man. Our plan was to hurt him in the stomach early and then stick to him like glue and that's what he did.

"He emptied the tank in the last round, I was so proud of his effort."

Tyson said it was a "rough" fight.

"He didn't give it to me easy, he was always on me. My focus was sticking on him because he had longer reach than me. I just got inside and got him frustrated, it was a good feeling to win - heaps of people doubted me and my family were proud," Tyson said.

Sykes said Royal had "two awesome fights" and Tommy, who lost by split decision in the final, was unlucky not to take gold.

"I actually thought he'd won, but that's how boxing is sometimes. In the last round he could not have done any more, he was all over him and had him backed into the corner. I told him he'll learn from that and it would make him better."

Rotovegas boxers were also among the medals.

Tim Easthope won silver in the elite men's 92kg category, Nathan Epapara took silver in the youth men's 64kg and Lily Florence claimed bronze in the elite women's 69kg.