Promising pugilist grabs silver
Timaru boxer Joel Hill had a silver lining to his national championships in Rotorua.
The 15-year-old beat his first opponent by a unanimous decision to make the final but then went down the same way- albeit by a close call.
Hill also faced the challenge of stepping up a weight class, from 52kg division to 54kg to get an opponent.
His trainer John Ensor was impressed by Hill’s efforts. ‘‘I was very happy with him in Rotorua.’’
‘‘It was also the first time he has had to fight twice in 24-hours, which was another learning experience.’’
Ensor said Hill’s big improvement this season was how hard he was punching.
‘‘His footwork has always been good, but his punching power has really increased. He is quite strong for a 15-year-old at his weight.’’
In his first bout he defeated Manawatu’s Jayden Macucha, over three, two-minute rounds. Ensor said it was brilliant display of boxing.
Hill then faced southpaw Tyler Kopua, who he had previously defeated in their only other match-up.
Ensor said it was very close with one judge scoring the bout 29-28.
‘‘Kopua got the bye into the final and Joel had the earlier bout, so while he boxed well was probably a bit tired.’’
Hill said his target was gold but he was satisfied to come away with a medal. ‘‘I was pretty happy with silver.’’
Next month Hill is heading across the ditch to compete in the Australian Golden Gloves in Brisbane. Ensor said it would be another step up for his charge.
‘‘I’m not sure who he will face but we will take what we get.’’
The boxing coach described the Australian as brawlers, ‘‘from the get-go’’. ‘‘They like to put the pressure on from the start so we need not to get caught up in that.’’
Hill’s 27-fight career record stands at 17-wins, 10-losses. The TBHS pupil was the Timaru Boxing Association’s sole competitor at the national championships.