A mighty comeback falls just shy of win

RARELY has Matt Rooney seen a more remarkable heavyweight competition, as a man giving up more than 20kg on his rivals proved nothing could beat mental resolve in the ring.

Making a return to boxing after nearly two years out of the sport, Presley Wilcox fought until he no longer could, eventually succumbing in the Knuckle Man final against Louis Hambly.

Weighing in at barely 90kg, Wilcox showed few signs of rust despite his lengthy lay -off.

Given he previously fought as an amateur fighter in Russia, battling beyond his comfort zone is seemingly where he thrives.

Rooney, the creator of the Knuckle Man concept, said he had never seen a heavyweight division in his competitions packed with such intensity.

“Presley rocked up, he was under 90kg and gave away a hell of a lot of weight,” he said.

“The boys were true heavyweights who he fought and he just showed all class and his experience.

“He comes from a fighting family. When I approached Presley (to compete), he laughed and said he can’t because he hasn’t trained. I let him know about the next one and he said put me down.

“He stuck to his word and what a professional performance. It was his ring craftsmanship; he moves around the ring, he times his shots, he’s just a really good boxer.”

Other victors from Saturday night’s competitions at the Ross Island Hotel were Peter Chatfield, Anthony Lawrence and Riley Allan.

It has been Rooney’s busiest year yet, with three tournaments taking place. Now he has his sights set on turning some of his emerging fighters into professionals.

Among those fighters is Lawrence, who Rooney said for the first time in his amateur career was frazzled in his final bout. “We fought a quality opponent and then unfortunately he copped a big shot in the fourth round,” Rooney said.

“He had to really dig deep to last the round, at one stage I didn’t think he was going to make it.

“He was in deep water but fought through.”