BEERWAH’S finest fighters are set to deliver fireworks in April this year as they take on their toughest opponents yet ahead of potential world title bouts in 2023.
Dana ‘Deadly’ Coolwell will headline the April 13 bout at Fortitude Music Hall in a fantastic card that includes fellow Hinterland Boxing Club professional, Liam Pope.
Coach Stephen Pitt, said, it was an exciting time for the club with titles on offer for both fighters.
“To have both boys on the cards fighting for titles in 10-round fights on Foxtel doesn’t happen often,” he said.
“For our little club it’s a special occasion.”
Dana has been on the ascendancy with seven wins including five knockouts, including the Australian KO of the Year in 2021 when he caught Miles Zalewski on the chin to claim the Australian Super Featherweight Championship.
Stephen said that brought him into the top 80 worldwide in that division, but a victory against undefeated Venezuelan, Ender ‘The Tiger’ Lucas, would propel him into the top 30.
“We’d like to get him up to 15 fights and by the middle of next year hope he would have a solid rating in the top 15,” Stephen said.
“It’s a political game but all things being equal he could be looking at a world title in 18 months.”
Dana’s Hinterland Boxing Club stablemate, Liam, is fighting Erik Sokolov, with both fighters coming into the bout with three wins and no losses.
“Liam’s is going to be a good fight. Both are established amateurs and both look good,” Stephen said.
“They’ve got the same records and are at their preferred weight. I think there’s going to be fireworks.”
The state champion super featherweight came to HBC two years ago after making a name for himself in the amateurs.
The qualified carpenter moved to Beerwah for work but also to work with Stephen and Dana at HBC.
Stephen said given he was fighting in a smaller division there was greater chance of climbing the rankings faster.
“A world title shot is a very real proposition,” Stephen said.
The two boxers are creating a genuine buzz at HBC, with the club now training seven active amateurs and plenty more aspiring juniors.
“Going really well here, we’ve got a lot more kids coming to the gym. We make it a place where they accepted and can participate without fear of failure,” Stephen said.
Fight night is on April 13. Tickets available at tasmanfighters.com
