BARRY Nilsson’s boxing gym will be represented in Adelaide this weekend when two fighters glove up at the Dom Polski Centre for a South Australia v Queensland tournament.
Liam English will be a feature of the event, as he looks to defend his South Australian amateur welterweight state title, while youngster Vahahn Schofield will represent his state when he takes on a Queenslander in his seventh career fight.
English was also given the choice to fight a Queenslander, but in doing so he would have renounced his state title.
“I had the choice of vacating the title and fighting someone from Queensland or defending it,” English said.
“I chose to defend the title.”
He said he is confident heading into the bout and hopes to remain undefeated as he enters the ring for the fourth time in his career.
“I have been training fairly hard – I train every night possible,” English said.
“I have been playing football as well, so that has taken a bit out of it, but it helps with fitness.”
English knows little about his opponent, other than he is from Adelaide and should put up a strong fight, with three wins and two losses from his five appearances.
“He is a decent opponent I have heard, so it is going to be a good fight,” English said.
“I do not really know too much about him, but that is sort of what amateur boxing is – you do not really know much about the opponents.”
In the 69kg division, 23-year-old English will contest three two-minute rounds.
Nilsson has confidence in his two fighters and said he looks forward to what the weekend will bring.
“They have been training hard and both boys are pretty keen,” he said.
“I am looking forward to it.”
There has been one setback in the lead up to the event, with Riley Wiese unable to compete due to a finger injury sustained last week.
With this weekend’s event a bridge into nationals, Nilsson said it was disappointing for him to miss out.
“He would have gone to the Under 19 nationals this year, so he will miss that,” he said.
However, Nilsson’s gym is still well represented and he hopes to come away with two wins on Saturday.
Fighting in the 49kg junior division, Schofield said he is keen to step into the ring again and looks forward to his bout.
The 13-year-old has been working on his southpaw technique, which should provide an edge in the three 90 second rounds.
“I am keen,” Schofield said.
“I guess it is like every other fight, but there is a little bit more pressure because he is a Queenslander.
“I reckon I will go alright – I have been training pretty hard.
“I will just see how it goes I guess.”
This weekend is the start to a busy year for Nilsson, with plenty of trips to Adelaide on the horizon, as well as preparation for his own tournament on December 7 at East Gambier Football Club.
“That will be South Australia v Victoria and we are looking at 25-30 bouts,” Nilsson said.
“It should be a great show.”
The event will also provide an opportunity for a couple of his promising female boxers to step into the ring for the first time.
