Sport
25 September, 2024
Age no barrier for Mount Isa boxer who hopes for a classic underdog win
Allan Hazle has come out of retirement to fight for an international belt.
He is reluctant to be compared to the famous Sylvester Stallone character, but the past few weeks in the life of Allan Hazle seem to have been taken from the plot of the first Rocky movie.
Two years since his last bout and recovering from a shoulder injury, the Mount Isa boxer has been plucked from obscurity and given a shot at a boxing world title.
When this article goes to print, the 53-year-old will be packing his bags for Germany where he will contend for the WBF World Masters Welterweight belt at the Cultura Theatre in the city of Rietberg on October 5.
The 6 x two-minute rounds contest is part of the Masters Cup, which is one of the biggest Masters boxing events in Europe that draws fighters from across the globe for a 25-bout fight card.
Being an international Masters event, competitors do not wear head gear but retain the 16oz gloves used in Australian competitions.
Hazle’s opponent is Anthony “Hitman” Hawkins, a 51-year-old FIFO miner from the Pilbara, who made his boxing debut about a decade ago, already has several international Masters bouts under his belt and has even spent several years travelling to Las Vegas to train with Floyd Mayweather’s Money Team.
At 168cm, Hawkins stands six centimetres taller than Hazle and both will need to make the 66kg weight.
Hazle enters the contest with an 8-1 fight record over two decades of boxing, including taking part in fight nights in Mount Isa and Townsville.
He stopped boxing about two years ago after his final fight, against an opponent about half his age which had led to a shoulder injury requiring several operations.
Hazle had only recently begun seriously training again in recent months, mostly at Derrick’s Boxing, with the initial expectation of returning to the ring sometime in 2025.
Then there was the knock of opportunity from Germany.
Hazle’s whirlwind rise from Mount Isa acid plant shutdown planner and family man to boxing world title contender began when he was tagged in a Facebook post only a few weeks ago.
He said Hawkins was lamenting his opponent dropping out of the planned fight in Germany on social media, which led to North Queensland Masters boxing promoter Kim Gray tagging Hazle to the post.
Due to the eight-hour time difference, late night discussions were soon taking place over Zoom between Hazle and Hawkins and the Masters event organisers in Germany to seek qualification and accreditation for Allan to be the replacement to enter the ring.
Once the fight was locked in, Hazle travelled to Brisbane last week to train at the famed Fortitude Boxing gym where the current Australasian Light Heavyweight and Welterweight champions also hit the pads.
Hazle said a range of Mount Isa businesses had come on board to provide sponsorship since it was confirmed he was going to Germany. He said he has been floored by the goodwill from local residents.
“Mount Isa may have dwindled in numbers but the heart, love, support and strength in our city has only grown in strength,” he said.
“This town has rallied behind me – I’m lost for words with the support I am receiving.
“I am going over there and will give 120 per cent to make it a competitive match – who knows what will happen after that.”