Kite flying high as Hornet adds sting
CAIRNS boxer Ben Kite has been taken under the wing of Australian champion Jeff Horn as he aims to follow in the Hornet’s footsteps and take on the world.
Kite was first trained at Cairns PCYC under Bill Murphy before relocating south to further his fledgling boxing career in Brisbane.
The 26-year-old Queensland welterweight champion is two from two in 2017, advancing past Michael Dan and Daniel Maxwell, with a huge fight against Newcastle’s Eddie Dos Santos set for Saturday night.
Kite, who trains out of the Fortitude Boxing Gym in Brisbane, has been taking some advice from the Hornet to prepare for Dos Santos.
Horn is planning to shock the boxing world against Manny Pacquiao on July 2 in one of the biggest fights in Australia’s long and illustrious boxing history.
“Everyone is talking about the Jeff and Pacquiao fight, there seems to be a bit of buzz around boxing at the moment which is great,” Kite said. “It is awesome for boxing. “I have done a lot of sparring with Jeff and I am looking forward to seeing him put on a good performance in July.
“I feel really good sparring against Jeff, we get some really good hard rounds in together.
“Jeff is a nice fella, always happy to sit down and have a chat.”
Boxing took “Banging Ben” to India last year but a New South Welshman will be his opponent on Saturday night.
Sportsbet is not giving Dos Santos much chance of troubling the Far North fighter, with Kite listed as a $1.20 hope to win the fight.
Despite the lopsided bookmakers view on the bout, Kite is expecting a battle.
“It is going to be a good match up, I am really looking forward to it,” Kite said.
“I am coming off the back of a couple of knock out wins recently so hopefully I can keep the ball rolling. He looks like quite a tidy boxer, I have not got to watch a great deal of him yet, just a little bit.
“He looks neat as a boxer but I think I will be able to put enough pressure on him to make him fold.”
Kite is hoping fight again in July and will then be looking to get bigger fights happening and keeping the wins rolling.