Sport
12 February, 2025
Mount Isa boxer ready to defend his title in Townsville
Allan Hazle will feature in one of the main amateur cards on an action-backed program.
Mount Isa boxer Allan Hazle says two months of steady preparation sees him in better physical shape to defend his world masters title this weekend compared to when he first won the belt last October.
The 53-year-old was a last-minute contender for the title bout in Germany and only had a few weeks to prepare before the judges unanimously handed him the WBF World Masters Welterweight belt after the three-round showdown.
Hazle says he agreed in November to defend his title against Townsville fighter Joel Herlihy.
He said the extra weeks had made a “big difference” in how he has structured his training regime ahead of the world title clash on Saturday night.
“I have had the opportunity to do a lot of sparring with some of the local (Mount Isa) boys and they have really put me through my paces,” he said.
Dubbed the Battle of the Port, the 15-bout pro/am event at the Quayside Terminal in Townsville has six North West fighters on the card, including world masters heavyweight champion Sunny Raitava, who will face off in an exhibition match, as well as fellow Mount Isa boxers Terin Vasserie, Dayarn Bennet and Nilz Bennet and Adam Lawson from Cloncurry.
Hazle’s three-round masters clash has top amateur billing for the night, with two professional fights topping off the night.
“I think it says a lot about boxing in the North West that we can fill the Townsville fight card with so many of our local boys,” Hazle said.
“I am hoping it is going to be a good night for Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
“Joel (Herlihy) is very ring fit at the moment, and he has the hometown advantage – so it will just be a matter of adapting to what I need to in the ring, take it round by round and hopefully I can come away with the win.”