FATHER’S WISH LEADS TO BOXING OPPORTUNITY
WITH sweat flying off his gloves Troy Harding launches into another attack on the bags at Ashmore PCYC. It is hard to believe only last year the boxer tipped the scales at more than 120kg.
The former dual-silver medallist at the Australian Amateur Boxing National titles let his glove work and weight fall by the wayside. That was before he made the biggest promise of his life.
Before his father, former Yamba Amateur Boxing Club president Les Harding, died in September last year, he asked his son to make him one last promise.
“He said he wanted me to get back into the ring,” Troy said. “I promised my old man that I would do it. If I can’t do it for him then I would never do it.
“That was when I decided to get into the gym and do the hard yards. I started on this journey in mid-January and since then I have lost more than 40kg.”
Harding is now back to his optimal fighting weight at 80kg as he prepares to make his professional debut at Yamba’s Big Bash Boxing night tomorrow.
The name Harding has become synonymous with Australian boxing thanks to the gallant deeds of former world light heavyweight champion, Jeff ‘Hitman’ Harding.
And while he has no direct relation to the Hall of Fame boxer, Troy is looking to emulate Hitman’s incredible resilience in the ring.
The 30-year-old pugilist has been working the bags under the watchful gaze of Brett Pescud at Power Boxing Gym in Ashmore for the past 12 months.
“The quality sparring I have been getting in the ring has really set me up nicely,” Harding said. “Brett and his team have organised an awesome training program and regimen for me heading into my first pro fight.
“I am 100 per cent ready to go. I haven’t been at this weight since my first lot of amateur bouts, and I haven’t felt this good in a long time.”
Harding faces littleknown Western Australian Aiden Bennett, also making his pro debut at Raymond Laurie Sports Centre.