MOUNT Gambier boxing trainer Barry Nilsson is set to take two young fighters to Adelaide to contest the state titles this weekend.
Vahahn Schofield and Riley Wiese will chase novice titles in their respective divisions, in just the first bouts of their careers.
Schofield with fight in the 40 kilo schoolboys title for 12 years olds, while Wiese will contest the 58-60 kilo class for 16 year old boys.
Nilsson said he was pleased with the progress both boys had made since starting at his gym.
“These boys are having their first fights, but both been training hard five nights a week,” he said.
“They have done a lot of gym work and running around the Blue Lake at 6am.
“They are fit and ready and with a bit of luck we could bring back two state titles.”
Nilsson said it was a huge step for Schofield, but one he was ready for.
“He spars with the older guys in the gym and when he goes to Coleraine he spars with a kid younger than him.
“We’ve just got a heap of new kids at the gym now, so he can spar with others around his own age.
“He has had to grow up real quick in the ring, but he is not afraid.
“It takes a lot of guts to get in the ring at that age.
“He would probably be the youngest boy in Mount Gambier to step into a boxing ring.”
Schofield will fight in the novice division for boxers with zero to five fights.
His opponent is also stepping into the ring for his first bout.
Nilsson said he expects Wiese to perform well, despite his limited experience.
“Riley has been training for about eight months,” he said.
“I usually give them 12 months, but he is ready.
“He has been training up for this and every day it gets closer he gets a bit more nervous.
“But he is a good listener and does what I say in the gym, so we want to give him the best opportunity to win in that weight division.”
Nilsson said he would take it one fight at a time with the two young boxers and maybe look to compete in Warrnambool once this was all over.
He said win, lose or draw, as long as the two give 100pc, he would be pleased, although he said there was one main goal for the weekend.
“We hope to get a couple of state titles,” he said.
“We are not going for second prize, you don’t train all this time for nothing, we are going to win.”
The fights will take place tomorrow and Sunday at the Dom Polski Centre in Adelaide.
