Boxing By Ruth Caskey
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TAMWORTH PCYC boxers are gearing up for a big bash at next month's annual National Golden Gloves tournament.
Two weekends ago three of the local troupe Nathan Daly and brothers Josh and Brad Moncaster fought with great skill at a Maitland tournament.
They will be joined by four more for a tilt at some National Golden Gloves glory, coach Paul Saunders said.
The Tamworth boys won three from three at Maitland, with 57kg Daly being crowned the Central NSW Featherweight champion.
The 16-year-old squared off against undefeated Luke Henry from Forster in his first fight under new AIBA (International Boxing Association) rules.
"They recently changed the scoring system from a point-for-point basis to a 10-point must system, where the dominant boxer wins the round.
"Luke Henry went into the fight undefeated but Nathan stepped up to the plate and fought well to get the title."
Competing in his second fight, Josh Moncaster, 16, won all three rounds comfortably against Forster's Beau Kawlmacher.
Josh's older brother Brad, 18, competed in the 80kg senior division against Forster's Liam Duncan. He also won his fight comfortably.
Brad is still undefeated and will be dropping down in weight class to the 75kg middleweight division for his next fight.
"He will be very strong and pretty hard to beat at that weight," Saunders said.
Sub-junior Jai Wilson didn't officially compete at the Maitland event, but took part in a competition spar for practise.
The 13-year-old can't officially compete in NSW until he's 14. He'll still be heading to the Queensland tournament, as boxers can compete from age 10 there.
All four boys will head to Acacia Ridge for the National Golden Gloves, along with Troy Taylor, 32, Sean Wright, 31, and Isiah Spearim, 16.
The four-day tournament is Australia's largest boxing competition.
"We've got a real mix of experience in the team for Queensland," Saunders said.
"This is the most we've taken away to any tournament."
Taylor, a former central NSW heavyweight champion and NSW state titles silver medallist, is fighting in the heavyweight division after a long break from the sport, while Sean Wright, a former metropolitan NSW champion, will fight in the junior welterweight 64kg division.
Spearim will have his first fight at the Golden Gloves, competing in the 60kg youth division.
"He's been training well and he's ready to go," Saunders said.
The National Golden Gloves tournament will be held from August 21 to 25 at Acacia Ridge.