TONIGHT will see the first big boxing event held in the Limestone Coast for several years.
Sam Dwyer from Dwyer’s Boxing Club has set up what is called the Mount Gambier Boxing Championships, which will take place at the Mount Gambier showgrounds main pavilion.
The night will see 22 amateur fights on the card, including two fighters from the stable of retired world champion Sam Soliman.
Soliman will be in attendance on the night, along with 10 fighters from Dwyer’s gym.
Dwyer said everything had come together well at this stage, which he hoped would kick off some momentum for the sport in the region.
“Boxing has been dead in the town for a few years and this is part of a grander scheme to bring it back,” he said.
“We travel every few weeks for fights and I have 10 boxers out of my gym, so it would be good to have something for them to look forward to each year.
“We wanted to give them something to work towards and train for every year, to dip their toe in the water and see where it goes from there.”
Dwyer said he has put in every effort to ensure the night goes off without a hitch and provides plenty of entertainment for spectators.
“We are flying in the retired world champion Sam Soliman and we have some really good talent coming down,” he said.
“We have 22 fights on the card.
“Because they are amateur fights they are three-rounds, so we expect there to be about five hours of fights.”
Of those 22 fights, one of the more anticipated bouts will see Warrnambool’s Brian Agina go head-to-head with Mildura’s Dominic Marceano.
Dwyer said he expected that fight to be entertaining and will be one of the last amateur fights for Agina.
“This will be my last amateur fight,” Dwyer said.
“We have another local lad Locky Farrugia, it will be his last amateur fight as well before we both go to the pros.
“Brian Agina – who fought for Kenya in the Commonwealth Games – this will be one of his last fights before he turns pro.”
Dwyer said it was a big drawcard to have Soliman bring two of his fighters down for the event.
“I have met Sam on multiple occasions,” he said.
“Sam was a cornerman on my first fight.
“When he heard about the night he wanted to come down with a couple of his fighters, which is good.”
Dwyer said the response from the public had been excellent, with tickets selling well.
“We have people travelling to attend the night,” he said.
“We hope the town gets behind it and supports it.
“It is an amateur sport and is a very family-friendly atmosphere.”
Looking ahead Dwyer said he would like to hold more events each year, but is unsure whether there would be the support for that.
At this stage he is simply focused on the night ahead.
Tickets are available at www.dwyersboxing.club/event or at the Federal Hotel.
They will also be available on the door if there are any left.
Doors open at 4.30pm, with fights set to start from 5pm.
