HINTERLAND Boxing Club’s Destinee Lincoln has just won her fourth amateur bout and her first tournament fight on May 6 at the Gold Coast PCYC.
The 22-year-old has been training with coach, Steve Pitt, since she was 16, and after a few years of absence from the ring, Steve said she is back and better than ever.
“She fought an Ipswich boxer and had to go up a division by 5kgs to fight her, there are limited women divisions but we have to take each opportunity and she took it by both hands,” he said.
“I’m really happy with her, she really listened because in previous fights she lost her way a little bit but just being in the gym and training and being around the fighters is a good experience for her.”
Destinee has a big year ahead of her with many upcoming amateur level fights, and even hinted to Steve she would like to go professional eventually.
“She’ll be very busy this year, I’m going to take her to the state titles this year and the Australian title qualifiers, I think she’s ready for it, she’s done the work and she’s earnt to go there,” he said.
“Nationally there will be a fair bit of competition in her weight division, those girls are experienced but that’s apart of the experience for her.
“I think she would like to go professional eventually, her progression towards that point has been good so far and we will keep moving towards that, but I think she has what it takes.”
Steve reflected on her recent split decision win, and said her focus and composure are some of the reasons why she has a bright future ahead of her.
“In the first few rounds she was hardly punched, but in the later rounds she slipped up a bit, but I was surprised it was a split decision I didn’t think she was going to win but a win is a win,” he said.
“She has a strong will and determination, when she puts her mind to it, she can achieve anything, and she stays composed, can adapt well to changes and applies herself so she ends up on top.”