RICE RIPE FOR BIGGEST STAGE
Toowoomba fighter on Suncorp card
BOXING: The stage can’t be much bigger for Toowoomba’s undefeated rising star Brent Rice.
Rice has signed on to fight a fellow top Australian prospect Liam Wilson on the undercard of the much anticipated Jeff Horn versus Anthony Mundine bout at Suncorp Stadium on November 30.
Wilson, who has campaigned at super lightweight and lightweight in his first two professional bouts has made the decision to drop down to super featherweight and Rice’s Australian title will be on the line.
“It’s an honour to fight on a card many are talking about as one of the biggest cards of boxing ever held in Australia,” Rice said.
“To defend my title at Suncorp Stadium against a man many are talking about as a future world champion excites me.
“Liam Wilson is a hot prospect, he had an amazing amateur career, his first two pro fights have ended in quick fashion so I respect him greatly — but I don’t fear him.
“I 100% believe I can beat him, that’s my mindset.
“I’m 8-0 and I’m still improving and I’ve had two 10round fights under my belt which is something Liam Wilson doesn’t have.
“All of Australia will be watching this card so what better stage to shine on.”
Liam Wilson has an impressive pedigree.
As an amateur he was a superstar winning 123 wins from 137 fights, he was a 2018 Commonwealth Games quarter finalist, five-time Australian champion, nine-time Queensland Champion and seventime Golden Gloves champion.
As a pro he’s 2-0 with both bouts ending in round one knock-outs.
“Despite Brent being the more seasoned pro and the reigning Australian champion I expect we will be heavy underdogs,” Rice’s trainer and father Bobby said.
“That’s fine, like most country lads we relish the underdog status.
“There is only one thing worse than under estimating an opponent and that’s over estimating an opponent — we have immense respect for Liam Wilson but we also believe in ourselves.
“We need to box very smart in this bout and work to our strengths.
“Liam has only been centre ring for less than six minutes as a pro, Brent is 8-0 and has boxed 40 rounds as a pro winning far more rounds than he’s lost — we need to use that to our advantage.
“This is a great fight, people want to see top Aussie boxers fighting other top Aussie boxers and this is what this is — two young champions on the rise putting it on the line for the Australian title.”
Rice’s Manager Brendon Smith was thrilled to see a Toowoomba fighter feature on such a big card that will create plenty of publicity.
“I’ve always believed Toowoomba is one of the strongest boxing cities in Australia so to have a local fighter on this card is very fitting,” Smith said.
“Thanks to match maker Stuart Duncan and Duco who I have worked with to put this fight together.
“Brent ‘the golden boy’ Rice versus Australia’s former golden boy of amateur boxing Liam Wilson.
“I’m sure we will have a large contingent of Toowoomba fight fans on hand to support Brent Rice.”