Hinterland boxers pumped following Japanese training camp
HINTERLAND Boxing Club squad members just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime two-week training camp in Japan ahead of this Saturday’s big fight night on the Sunshine Coast.
Hinterland Boxing’s Steve Pitt said the camp has been a “life-changing” experience for himself and his stable of fighters, Dana Coolwell, Liam Pope, Joel Walsh and Tyler Blizzard.
The team spent each day training at the Kadoebi gym in Toshima, Toyko, and each boxer, (except for Tyler due to an injury), had sparred against high quality local fighters.
Coach Pitt said the camp was a brilliant experience and that both he and his stable discovered a new perspective about boxing – viewed through the lens of Japanese culture.
“We were pretty fortunate to be able to train there,” he said.
“They are very humble, but in the ring they’re very competitive because they fight to hurt you, but in the cleanest way possible,” he said.
“There’s a distinct level of honour and respect they hold for their coaches and the owner of the gym, and they don’t want to let that person down and it comes out when they spar.
“They are very versatile so they teach them to box, they teach them to fight inside, and they teach them to move around. We do that in Australia too but there isn’t a lot of adaptation in style here.”
Dana, Liam and Joel are now focused on their respective fights at the Mooloolaba Bowls Club on October 7.
Steve said he believed his fighters would each walk away with wins after facing some unconventional sparring partners.
“The guy Dana was sparring with was a south paw, and he was a bit heavier; but he would beat most or all of our kids at our gym.
“I think, he is very strong and well balanced,” Steve said.
“Dana’s opponent for his bout is good, we don’t want to underestimate him, he’s a big puncher, but we want to win and there’s no other way – we have to win.
“Joel will be fighting a four rounder. It will be a tough fight, but he has gone up levels, so I’m looking for him to put on a good performance.
“I don’t think Liam’s opponent is going to bring who he was sparring with in Japan, but we don’t want to underestimate them either, that’s one thing that I learned, you can’t be cocky and arrogant… I think we have all learnt that.”
He added that their preparation for these fights had conditioned his fighters.
“We are probably in the best position we’ve been in for a long time, heading to Japan, we knew we had to be fit to go there and thank God we were,” he said.
“After the camp, I expect the boys to work at a higher capacity rate. I want to see the boys busy and smart while they do it as well.
“It certainly puts some feathers in your bow when you’ve had that experience overseas.
“Liam and Dana are going for the belts and we definately want those belts.
“Liam’s opponent doesn’t have as much experience as him, and Dana’s opponent is a big puncher and has won all his fights by KO.
He would have to get Dana in the first two rounds to win.”
Dana is headlining the local fight card this Saturday, with nearly every amateur and professional bout featuring a HBC boxer.
