Standing strong, top from left: Kegan Harrison, Leamy Taito, Blinky Elliot,on the ring: T J Sturmey, Mathew, Fabian Elliot, and James Bostock?
The Petone Boxing club is brining the regional championship to our shores. Petone Sports & Boxing Club owner Robbie Martin says his Marine Parade gym is bursting with energy as membership numbers have doubled from this time last year. He says part of the rise in popularly is the affordability of boxing as a form of fitness. ?It?s probably something to do with the recession; people are looking at where they spend money. ?People are spending less money in the pubs and more time getting stuck into the gym ? it?s a good thing. ?You get your frustrations out from looking for work,? he says. Mr Martin is a Manguraki resident with a passion for the boxing ring, and on September 12 the club will host the Wellington Regional Boxing Championship and hopefully supply a handful of winning contenders. ?It?s the first time the championship has been back in Petone for many years. ?There hasn?t been boxing in Petone for a long time and there has been a huge response at the gym,? he says Mr Martin is adamant the club will produce a New Zealand heavyweight champion, with Shane Cameron?s brother Rob and Leamy Taito both being trained at the gym. The Petone club is working in conjunction with Rebel boxing in Porirua to train Mr Taito, a former Manley Sea Eagle, and NZ cage fighting and kick boxing champion. ?He?s looking to top it off with a New Zealand heavyweight championship. ?He?s going to be a professional heavyweight boxer every bit as big as Cameron,? he says. Of the upcoming heavyweight fight between David Tua and Shane Cameron, Mr Martin says Cameron has a greater overall ability to fight off Tua?s raw power. ?Shane should out-box him; he?s younger, a bit fitter. ?In saying that, when you have a punch like Tua anything can happen.? Petone Sports & Boxing Club is hosting the?Wellington Regional Boxing Championship on September 12 at the Petone Rugby Club on Udy Street, for more information contact Robbie Martin on 027 5232674.
