Sport
4 December, 2024
Hazle books title defence fight for February
The Mount Isa boxer will head to Townsville to defend his belt.
Allan Hazle hopes the Mount Isa versus Townsville rivalry will fuel his motivation as he defends his WBF World Masters Welterweight belt in February.
The 53-year-old, whose last-minute addition to a Masters competition in Germany led to an unexpected world title belt in October, will face off against contender Joel Herlihy in Townsville on February 15.
There had been hopes the world title fight could be hosted in Mount Isa, however Hazle said he decided to accept the invitation to the Pro-Am fight card in Townsville in order to ensure he would fulfil the six-month time limit to defend his title under boxing federation rules.
Hazle said since accepting the fight last week he had already been flooded with calls and texts from Mount Isans living in Townsville or those willing to make the journey across to the coast to show their support.
Hazle said he maintained a strict training regime, including an eight-kilometre run the day after landing back in Mount Isa following his world title win in Germany, and the festive season would not affect his fight preparations.
“There will be nothing different for me – because of the injuries to my back, I always train to some level – this will actually be a much better prep for me because I have three months to get ready,” he told North West Weekly.
“There is now a date for the fight, so we have a time frame, and I have my mile markers at where I need to be in my fitness and prep as we get closer, so I just stay focused on that.
“Joel is a Townsville boxer, so hopefully this fight keeps the old Townsville – Mount Isa rivalry alive and well.”