COWARD HIT CALL OUT
A GOLD Coast scaffolder is challenging a Schoolies coward puncher to a boxing bout as a stand against “bullies”.
Ben Vandenbroek, 30, says he wants to fight Caleb Maraku because he “didn’t learn” from his sickening attack.
Maraku, 19, walked free from a Gold Coast court last week, laughing and taking selfies, after being sentenced to 12 months probation for the group attack on Taliesin O’Meara in Surfers Paradise in November.
Maraku initially said he was up for the fight, but hasn’t responded further.
THE Gold Coast scaffolder challenging a Schoolies coward puncher to a proper boxing bout says he is doing it as a stand against “bullies” to instil some respect.
Currumbin scaffolder Ben Vandenbroek, 30, told the Bulletin he issued the public challenge on Facebook to Gold Coast coward puncher Caleb Maraku because he wants him “to front up”.
“This is a stand against all bullies. It’s nothing personal between him and me. It’s just standing up to people who do that kind of thing,” Mr Vandenbroek said yesterday.
Commenting on vision of Maraku laughing and posting for selfies just after he was sentenced in Southport Magistrates Court last week, Mr Vandenbroek said he believed he “didn’t learn from it”.
Maraku, 19, was sentenced to 12 months probation for the sickening group attack on Taliesin O’Meara in Surfers Paradise during Schoolies Week in November.
Shocking video of the incident showed Mr O’Meara, also 19, being surrounded and then king-hit from the side, knocking him unconscious. He collapses backwards on to the pavement.
On Facebook, Mr Vandenbroek personally called out Maraku, writing: “Caleb, you weak gronk, get in the ring with me for our charity scaffolding boxing night? You think ur the man jumping a young bloke 3 on 1.
“Let’s see how you go little bitch.”
Maraku replies: “Sort it out, I’ll come down 100 per cent. Message with the info and dates, I’ll see u then.”
Mr Vandenbroek hopes to rumble for real with Maraku at the QT Gold Coast hotel late March on the card of a boxing night being put together by local trainer Jamie Myer.
Mr Myer said if both men were prepared to train properly for an amateur bout before donning gloves and fronting up in the boxing ring he would put them on the fight card.
“Hopefully (Maraku) will learn a bit of respect from doing it and it’ll be a positive thing.”
Mr Myer said amateur 16ounce fight gloves had more padding but you “can still get hurt and it does teach respect”.
“If you get hit in the right spot you are going to get knocked out. It’s very dangerous doing that out in the street.”
He was trying to get Maraku’s number but Mr Vandenbroek said despite Maraku’s initial bravado he hadn’t engaged since online.
The fight night, with feature bouts including Queensland cruiserweight champ Jamie Porter and former Titans prospect Luke Baker fighting in the heavyweights. The night aims to raise money for a construction industry mental health charity MATES in Construction.