BOXING: Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Shelley Watts, didn’t get it all her own way, but she’s through to Saturday’s 60kg final of the Australian Boxing Championships on the Gold Coast.
Watts found the going tough against promising Gold Coast boxer, Skye Nicolson, and a parochial home crowd, but did enough to get the nod of the judges.
She’ll take on fellow New South Welshwoman, Anja Stridsman, who beat three-time national champion, Emma Carruthers, in her semi-final.
“It’s always going to be hard to get a decision against Shelley, she’s so experienced,” Stridsman said.
“But I’ve been working really hard, so I’m ready.”
The women’s 75kg final will be one of the bouts of the night, with 2014 Commonwealth Games squad member, Kaye Scott, up against Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist, Caitlin Parker.
Scott beat Parker in a close decision at the Australian titles in April, but Parker said she’s ready for revenge.
“You’ll see how ready I am tomorrow night,” she said.
Also through to Saturday’s gold medal bouts is Commonwealth Games boxer, Kristy Harris, who’ll take on NSW’s Jasmeen Hudson in the 51kg, and Victoria’s Alison Allan and South Australia’s Rebecca Burgess, who will meet in the 64kg final.
It is set to be an emotional fight for Allan, whose six-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
She said her fight on Saturday is likely to be her last bout for some time, as she concentrates on nursing her daughter back to full health.
Several of the big names in the men’s competition struggled in the sweltering conditions on Friday, but there was an impressive result for former World Junior champion, Clay Waterman.
World Championship boxers Daniel Lewis, in the 75kg division, Jayden Hansen, in the 56kg division, and David Biddle in the 64kg division, were all made to work hard to progress to Saturday’s semi-finals.
Lewis completely dominated his opening round against Victoria’s Campbell Somerville, but appeared to tire in the heat as his opponent took advantage of his greater reach.
Western Australia’s Hansen also started strongly, forcing a standing eight count on Victoria’s Kaleb Kozak.
But he also tired, and had to survive a standing count of his own before claiming victory.
Biddle’s bout against Commonwealth Games team member Jason Mallia was always going to be a highlight of the day, and it lived up to expectations.
Biddle attacked from the opening round, and looked relieved when the judges awarded him the fight.
Queensland’s Waterman was among the most impressive performers on Friday, taking less than two rounds to put an end to Western Australia’s Daniel Emery.
Waterman, who won gold at the 2011 World Championships, could come up against Lewis in Sunday’s final.
The two met in a first round clash at the same Gold Coast venue in April, with Lewis winning a hotly contested bout.
Ross Solly
Boxing Australia
