IPSWICH’S Zion Boxing Club is now home to two new home-grown champions.
Geoff Matthews and Elson Tuitupou came away with gold medals at the National Boxing Golden Gloves tournament fought this year at Burpengary.
The elite competition saw 405 bouts over four days with teams attending from every state and territory, as well as large contingents from NZ, PNG and Pacific Islands.
Welterweight Geoff Matthews won his two fights over two days in spectacular fashion with TKO’s over both of his opponents.
Head Coach Leu Vaotu’ua said Geoff overpowered his opponents and his effort was particularly impressive because these were his first fights.
In the open division superheavyweight father of three Elson Tuitupou tipped the scales at 104kg for his weigh in.
Elson said he had three tough opponents over the three days.
“The fights were scrappy and the hardest was the last bloke who was much taller than me ,” he said.
“I took up boxing a year ago to win Golden Gloves, I wanted to win so my kids could be proud of me.
“The win was particularly special with my whole family ringside.
“During one of the fights my son came up to me in the corner to offer advice, much to the dismay of my coaches.”
Braydon Reid, Topper Mathews and Lincoln Edwards all won Silver Gloves.
