Boxing brothers off to SI champs

‘‘They're ready for boxing before I'm even in the car to take them.’’

They only started boxing last year, but Picton brothers Stallion and Soldier Huntley are already finding their feet.

And this weekend they’re off to Christchurch to compete in their first competition, the South Island Novice Boxing Champs.

Soldier, 12, and Stallion, 11, started training with the Arapawa Boxing Club last year. But earlier this year they started going every week and taking it more seriously.

‘‘It was supposed to be something for a bit of extra fitness along with their rugby,’’ their mum Stacey says.

But their passion for the sport was soon evident.

While initially there were doubts about the boys taking up a ‘‘fighting sport’’, their zest for boxing outweighed any concerns.

‘‘When you’re a mum and you see how excited they are for something, it just makes me want to cry,’’ Stacey says.

She was proud to ’’see how much passion they have for it’’ and to ‘‘see them doing it because they love it’’.

‘‘They’re ready for boxing before I’m even in the car to take them.’’

In preparation for this week- end’s competition, the boys have been doing extra training and going for big runs. They are eating healthier, without having to be told, Stacey says, and during the school holidays they were training every day.

They are really excited about the opportunity and ‘‘knew they had to put the hard work in’’.

The brothers have captured the support of some the community as well as their boxing club. The Arapawa Boxing Club has donated $100 for accommodation and Z Petrol Station in Picton has donated $100 for petrol, while a staff member of Seymour Picture Framing, in Blenheim, has also donated money and a $50 Rebel Sport voucher. Many others had also contributed by way of a raffle Stacey set up to help fund the trip.

It was great to be ‘‘supported by people they didn’t even know’’, Stacey says. No matter what happens this weekend, their mum is firm: ‘‘No matter what happens, they’re already winners.’’

ANGELA O’CONNELL/STUFF Stacey Huntley Boxing brothers Soldier Huntley, 12, left, and Stallion Huntley, 11, are off to Christchurch to compete in the South Island Novice Boxing Champs. They are pictured with coach Shayne Olsen.