Tommy readies to defend boxing title

AUSTRALIA’S lightweight champion in pro boxing, Bendigo-raised Tommy Fitzgerald, is racking up the hours for a title defence.

When he steps into the ring on 23 August it will have been 364 days since Fitzgerald became the national titleholder.

Ellis Boxing again teams up to run another Pretender to Contender card in which Fitzgerald and Sale’s Jhon Cortejos will feature at The Pavilion in Flemington.

Although he has not fought since he earnt the Australian belt last August, Fitzgerald has put in thousands of hours training.

“The prep really steps up in the next few weeks,” the 27-year-old said after another training session at Ellis Gym.

“There will be a lot of sparring, pad work, weights, cardio and running.”

A motto on T-shirts worn by Fitzgerald’s supporters is Outwork Everybody All The Time.

The first to declare he is not the most gifted boxer, Fitzgerald takes pride in his workrate and of those he trains.

His boxing journey began as an amateur with trainer Danniel Burton at Golden Square-based Hit Factory when he was a teenager.

In the lead-up to the title defence it’s not just about his skills, but studying his opponent’s strengths and looking for an area or areas to earn points or end the contest.

Cortejos was born in the Philippines and has fought at super featherweight and lightweight.

Before he even knew he would be matched against Cortejos, Fitzgerald was in the Philippines earlier this year.

“I did some sparring and training over there. Boxers in and from the Philippines have quick hands and feet,” he said.

Fitzgerald’s power has resulted in four knockouts in a seven-nil record in the 61kg class as a professional boxer. It was a round-eight knockout against Daniel Huculak in last year’s fight for the Australian championship at The Pavilion.

Fitzgerald does boxing-related work on 13 of 14 days, whether it be inside the ropes, lifting weights or sprints on the athletics track.

“Rest day is every second Sunday,” he said. As well as working on his craft, Fitzgerald is head coach at Ellis Gym.

“We have a squad of pro boxers across various weight divisions and age groups,” Fitzgerald said.