MOUNT Gambier amateur boxers Sam Dwyer and Tim Wilson have returned from Tasmania victorious, with both claiming their respective golden gloves fights.
Dwyer also went further to claim the fighter of the night for senior males after an entertaining contest against Regan Marino.
The night was held in Smithton, with the two boxers from Dwyer’s gym teaming up with another six from Rudy’s gym in Warrnambool.
Between the team eight fighters, six came away with wins, while two women were dominant in their exhibition fights.
For Dwyer, his results were more impressive, considering he was not intending to fight on the night.
“I was going over just to coach Tim,” he said.
“They had put up some money to pay for part of our flights and accommodation, I had my medicals up to date so there was no reason I should not fight.
“The guy I fought was more experienced and had a few more fights, but I got the win.”
With around nine bouts under his belt, Dwyer said it was one of his better fights.
“My opponent who was a tidy boxer,” he said.
“We got to stand in close and box, so the fight was exciting to watch.”
For Wilson it was his first fight and he faced a local boxer who had the crowd support.
“He was the only local from the town, so he had all of the crowd behind him,” Wilson said.
“I got booed walking into the ring, so it was good to get the win, because it was a bit of extra pressure I did not really need.”
Wilson said he learned a lot from the fight.
“I overexerted myself early,” he said.
“I probably should have paced myself, so I was quite lucky to get the win in the end really.
“He came out hard, so it was either stand up and let him wear himself out, or go in a bit harder.
“I probably should have let him go for a bit first, but it worked out.”
The two now head to Adelaide next weekend to tackle the state titles, which Dwyer said would be much tougher than the golden gloves.
“In Smithton we only had the one fight,” he said.
“The state titles will be harder as you might fight two or three times over the weekend.
“But from there you can get into nationals, so it is a big weekend.”
