THEY were stars of the amateur scene but tomorrow night two Brisbane fighters will aim to show they are future world champions when they take to the ring for their professional boxing debuts.
Taylah Robertson and Jack Bowen from The Boxing Shop at Nathan are both former Australian Amateur Champions and will lead a fight night at Chandler tomorrow night.
Robertson, who is also a Commonwealth Games medallist, will take on experienced kickboxer Renee Klinatree from Thailand in her first professional appearance, while Bowen will fight Matt Hackett.
The 21-year-old Robertson said nerves were definitely a factor for this week’s fight but she felt extremely confident after a good training camp in the lead up to the fight.
She also said this was the first step towards her goal of becoming a world champion.
“I’m really excited, I’ve been working really hard in the lead up to this fight, training twice a day and I am ready,” Robertson said.“There’s definitely some nerves there as there will always be but I’m mostly excited.“It’s a bit of an unknown coming into this fight against my opponent, she’s had a lot of kickboxing fights but I don’t really know what to expect.“Training for a professional fight has been a bit different because you spend all your time focused on preparing for one opponent, whereas with amateurs you just focus on yourself because you don’t really know who you are going to fight.
Williams, who has produced several boxing stars during his time, said both Robertson and Bowen has the potential to become superstars.
“It’s not just me saying that, which a lot of trainers do, it’s other important people in the boxing community who have said it, which made me think I might be right here,” he said.
“Jack is an extremely entertaining boxer, he’s very elusive but also has the ability to land big shots as well and on the other hand Taylah just loves to get in there and tear it up, they’re both great to watch.”
Thornlands resident Mick Black will also compete on the night with The Boxing Shop athlete undefeated in five fights so far.
But Williams said tomorrow night will be his biggest test yet.
“He’s going against a guy that knocked everyone out in his division then stepped up a weight class and lost a split decision, so Mick has a massive challenge ahead of him,” he said.
“But if anyone is ready for that type of scrap, it’s Mick, he just loves getting in there and having an old-fashioned fight, it will be very entertaining.
“Mick even got up when the Freddy Brophy boxing tent was in Wynnum and had a fight with one of those guys and went blow for blow with their fighter. He just loves to fight.”
Original source: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/future-boxing-stars-take-to-the-ring-for-professional-debuts/news-story/f4b617fe2d1b6ed5b05690da08c04e1a