Interview with local boxing trainer Rex Jenkins ahead of the Central North Island 32nd Annual Golden Gloves Championships.
Boxing
Rotorua's youth will be punching for success at the Central North Island's 32nd annual Golden Gloves Championships this weekend.
The annual contest, taking place at the Great Lake Centre in Taupo, presents opportunities for boxers from all over New Zealand to compete with fighters in their weight divisions.
The showpiece event, started by the late Nuki Johnson, has produced international professional fighters such as Joseph Parker, David Tua and Shane Cameron.
Boxing New Zealand selectors will be in attendance.
Three Rotorua teams will be in the mix - Central Rotorua Boxing, RotoVegas Boxing Gym and Sykes Boxing Gym.
The fighters from Central are Naturelle Rangiawha, 10, in the 34kg mini cadet division, twin brother Kahu Rangiawha and Kevin Hay, 10, both taking part in the 38kg mini cadet division.
Maea Hay, 12, will be fighting in the 50kg cadet division.
Central Rotorua Boxing head trainer and Golden Gloves organiser Rex Jenkins said his squad of young fighters were raring to go.
"They have all been training very hard and I've got a very good young pack of fighters going," he said.
"It's a really important competition for youngsters because it is the kids' first step up and they can start to build up their confidence boxing in the ring.
"For the more experienced fighters it's also a vital competition because it helps with their rankings and could catch the eye of selectors."
Youths from Central Rotorua Boxing and RotoVegas Boxing Gym will be punching for success at the Golden Gloves over the weekend. Photo/Stephen Parker
From RotoVegas Carlos Allen, 13, is fighting in the 48kg cadet division, Joseph O'Leary, 12, in the 50kg cadet, and Matua Parkinson, 16, in the 80kg junior division.
Four-time New Zealand junior title holder Ricaia Warren, 19, is returning for his first fight in 12 months and is the only Rotorua boxer in the elite category at 81kg.
"It's the first time for Carlos and Joseph at the competition but they both have the X factor and can do very well," said RotoVegas owner and head trainer Aaron Warren.
"The Golden Gloves is a great opportunity to promote grass roots boxing - and help the youth stand out and make a mark.
"For Ricaia it's been a long journey back for him but he's been training five days a week and we've been working at professional development for him.
"Ricaia will definitely be shooting for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, so this competition is a great stepping stone on the way to that."
Sykes Gym head trainer Mike Sykes is sending 14-year-old Tyson Corbett in the 57kg cadet division.
"He's a cracker of a boxer, with a great range - excellent jabs and body punches which we've been working hard on," Sykes said.
"I'm excited about how well he can perform. On the day his speed and power should put him on top and he is certainly one to watch for the future."
In total 170 boxers will compete, in up to 85 bouts with weigh-in taking place between 7am-9am tomorrow and heats starting at the changed time of 12pm due to the popularity of this year's competition.
Weigh-in will then take place again on Sunday between 7am and 8am, with finals starting from 4pm.
Central North Island's 32nd annual Golden Gloves Championships
