Speed, fitness help propel young boxer
‘‘(We saw his full potential) when we saw that he could hit and not be hit. He is a natural athlete and through expert coaching he can develop his skills. He is very dedicated, fit and very fast.’’
Zep Clarke-Lynn is a rising star.
The Walton Boxing Club member has recently won the Central North Island Novice Welter Weight Championship.
This comes on the back of winning the North Island Novice Welter Weight Championship last year, which he has now won two years in a row.
Boxing coach Dr Raymond Richards says Clarke-Lynn is a ‘‘rising star’’. What makes the boxer extraordinary is that in his last two fights this year, he put counts on both his opponents.
Richards says the club recognised Clarke-Lynn had potential as a top boxer when they saw his speed.
‘‘(We saw his full potential) when we saw that he could hit and not be hit. He is a natural athlete and through expert coaching he can develop his skills. He is very dedicated, fit and very fast.’’
Walton Boxing Club owner and trainer Trevor McIntyre says anyone has the potential to go far in boxing, but people have to train hard and want it.
He says Clarke-Lynn certainly works hard. In preparation for a championship fight, Clarke-Lynn will train two hours a day, six nights a week, with McIntyre taking him to Rotorua and Te Awamutu clubs to spar each week.
‘‘It’s all in your head, you gotta train harder than the guy you want to beat. Zep takes a chin up bar to work with him.’’
Right now Clarke-Lynn is busy training for the New Zealand amateur boxing nationals, in 14 months time.
In that time, he will need a few more fights to prepare and opportunities will come up every few months, which could give him about six more fights.
However, he will be fighting against others in his division, many of whom have up to 100 fights behind them.
Walton Boxing Club runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6pm-8pm. Fees are $7 per session and anyone is welcome.