The Gold Coast Bulletin

WEBBER IN GOOD HANDS WITH BIG YEAR AHEAD

- CONNOR O’BRIEN @obrien_GCB

EXTRACTING every drop of knowledge from an Australian boxing legend and a champion trainer is vital to Nathan Webber’s plans for the biggest year of his career.

It all starts on Saturday week, when he fights on the undercard of WBO world No.4 junior middleweig­ht Dennis Hogan against No.5 Jimmy Kilrain Kelly at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

A late change to his opponent puts him up against Indonesian fighter Natalius Cipong, who shares the same record of being undefeated from four starts.

Webber’s clash with Cipong could be followed by another five bouts in a hectic 2018 schedule.

“Pretty much all fights are just getting your ranking up – also just progressin­g as a boxer, stepping up each time with harder fighters,” he said.

“This will be my toughest test yet.”

The 25-year-old welterweig­ht competitor only has four pro fights – 18 months into his profession­al career – to his name so far but already has dreams of rising to the top of the sport.

“Boxing is not a sport that you want to stay in too long; you want to get up to the top, stay there as long as possible and then get out,” Webber said.

He is in good hands with trainer Glenn Rushton, who has guided Brisbane’s Jeff Horn to internatio­nal stardom.

Webber has worked with Rushton since he was 18, except for six months last year when he moved down to Sydney to team up with his first coach, former world champion Daniel Geale.

 ?? Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS ?? Gold Coast boxer Nathan Webber ahead of his next big fight on April 7 in Brisbane.
Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS Gold Coast boxer Nathan Webber ahead of his next big fight on April 7 in Brisbane.

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