Tricky challenge looms for local pair
THE Herbert Hotel’s latest Saturday night rumble is shaping up to be a battle of the unknown for local boxers Lewis Chadwick and Noah Hooper.
Chadwick, 17, and Hooper, 15 – from the Dreams Boxing Establishment – are facing their own individual challenges ahead of tonight’s event, which features a card of up to 15 bouts between local and visiting fighters.
Hooper is making his amateur boxing debut tonight, while Chadwick takes on the tricky challenge of fighting a mixed martial arts combatant.
The similarities between last year’s mega- fight between boxing great Floyd Mayweather and MMA superstar Connor McGregor – and the showdown facing Chadwick tonight – is not lost on Dreams coach Shane Hooper, who is hosting tonight’s event.
“It’s funny when you think about it, but there is a bit of a comparison there I guess. We just don’t really know what to expect because MMA fighters bring a lot of skills,” he said.
“But Lewis will be ready for this, and the unknown bit is just part of the challenge.”
Chadwick takes on Courage Training Centre’s Aden Hawke in tonight’s event, with Hawke making his boxing debut.
The night will also be a momentous occasion for Hooper as he watches Noah, his son, fight for the first time.
Hooper, who had a professional career spanning 14 years, reluctantly gave Noah the green light to fight.
“I honestly did try to talk him out of boxing, but he’s got his mind made up,” Hooper said.
“I’ll be a bundle of nerves tonight, but this is what he wants to do.”
Tonight’s first bout starts at 7pm. Tickets at the door.