Community
29 January, 2025
Former boxer gives back to Richmond community
Since moving to Richmond, Maks Chylewski has made a big impact in a short period.
Whether it be at his own gym or promoting an upcoming fight event, Maks Chylewski is sharing his passion for boxing with the people of Richmond.
His commitment to the sport and the impact his efforts are having on the town were recognised with Maks receiving both Citizen of the Year and the Sports Achievement Award at Richmond Shire Council’s Australia Day awards on Sunday night.
A late bloomer to boxing, Maks took up the sport at 21, fighting out of Richo’s Boxing Gym in Toowoomba in various amateur events until he made use of the strong boxing calendar in the Garden City and moved into the pro ranks.
Retiring with a respectable 3-3-2 pro record in 2019, he soon relocated to Richmond with his employer, Ergon, started a family and began Maks’ Boxing Gym the following year.
He has been active in promoting the sport among Richmond locals, with seniors, juniors, fitness classes and women only classes all being hosted at Maks’ Boxing Gym in recent years.
“We have a few younger ones who are also coming to the sparring times and are starting to take the sport more seriously – we are seeing their skill level increase,” he said.
Maks is now organising an official Boxing Queensland amateur fight event, titled the ‘Richmond Outback Rumble,’ set to be hosted at the Richmond Civic Centre on July 12.
Maks said he hopes the event will see the town become a new location for boxing competitions.
“I know Mount Isa and Cloncurry do put on some good fight events, but I want to set up something for the Richmond community,” he said.
“We have interest so far from clubs in Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Townsville, Emerald and Toowoomba. I want locals to see how great the sport really is.”
Maks said he hopes the fight card will feature between 15 and 20 bouts which, under amateur rules, would consist of three two-minute rounds.
However, he said the number of bouts would depend on how many boxers registered in the weeks leading up to the event.
“The Golden Gloves (in Brisbane) is the week after our event but we are hoping North Queensland will be geographically distanced enough from that so we can still attract a solid number of boxers,” he said.
Richmond mayor John Wharton welcomed Maks initiative in setting up the boxing event in July.
“In the west we have rodeos and race events and swimming carnivals, but I can’t think in all the years I have been around that a town like ours has hosted a boxing event,” he said.
“It will be good to have a bit of diversity in the sports events we hold – a night where people can book a table with some friends and family and enjoy a night of boxing.
“I think it is a really good initiative that Maks is planning and our council is very supportive.
“Maks is a good bloke – he is a real contributor to the community.
“He was a deserving winner of the Citizen of the Year award.”
RICHMOND WINNERS
Citizen of the Year
Maks Chylewski
Young Citizen
Jaydon Lanskey
Community Spirit Award
Phillip Kennedy
Senior Sportsperson
Raeleene Ievers
Junior Sportsperson
Lacie Lillyman
Sports Achievement
Maks Chylewski
Community Event
Richmond Early Education Centre Cent Sale