THE Limestone Coast has two new state champion boxers, with Riley Wiess and Vahahn Schofield returning from Adelaide successful.
The pair entered the championships with no previous fights under their belts, but plenty of training and sparring through trainer Barry Nilsson.
Schofield entered his fight against Burak Sahim, who was two kilograms heavier.
It was a special bout, with both fighters in different weight divisions.
The fight went the full distance, with Schofield claiming the honours in his class, despite losing on a points decision.
Despite being his first fight against a heavier opponent, Schofield said he was not nervous entering the ring.
“Only the first time sparring I was nervous,” he said.
“As soon as I got in it was like every other time.
“It wasn’t like it was for a purpose, I was just doing it because I was doing it.
“I wasn’t looking at it like I needed to try harder, I was just trying as hard as I always do.”
In the end Schofield said he was pleased with how he handled the contest.
“I reckon I did pretty good,” he said.
“He was coming out charging with wild punches and I did get out the way of a few.”
Weiss also entered the championships without a previous bout.
He had to face two opponents – one on Saturday against Theo Leatherland to make the final, then the championship bout on Sunday against Christo Nickolas.
“The first night I was quite nervous, a bit jittery walking around,” he said.
“I went in there and the nerves went away.
“I had to think about it because he just kept coming in throwing wild swings.
“I just had to step back a bit and play the smarter game.”
After claiming the first bout, Weiss said Sunday’s fight was easier to face.
“The nerves weren’t as bad the second night,” he said.
“I was more focused on the fight than anything else.
“There was a bit more thinking in that fight – I wasn’t just getting charged with punches thrown at me.
“He was a bit smarter and more relaxed.”
Weiss was composed in the ring, taking the challenge up to the more experienced opponent, putting a standing count on him in the third round, before coming out victorious.
For Nilsson, the weekend turned out exactly as planned.
“I’m really happy with the way the boys handled themselves,” he said.
“Riley fought against the odds.
“In the first fight the kid threw everything at him but the kitchen sink.
“Riley had to work really hard and hit him with everything.
“He won every round.
“He woke up Sunday morning and said he was ready.”
Nilsson said they were ready for the challenge against Christo, who had fought one of his fighters recently.
“We knew Riley was stronger and we knew we could beat him,” he said.
“Christo had the crowd and everyone behind him, but we silenced the crowd after the first round, then our little group took over supporting Riley.
“Riley came out and caught him with right hands early and set him back.
“In the third round he put the count on him and took all the sting out of him.
“It was mature boxing, really skilled.
“He put a lot of thought into it.”
Nilsson said he was equally as proud of Schofield.
“Vahann, just 12 years old, to get in the ring was a great achievement,” he said.
“He is the youngest kid from Mount Gambier to get in the ring.
“He did everything he could.”
Nilsson said it was a good result for the boys and the gym.
He thanked Brenton James for helping the boys to head up to Adelaide to fight.
