Boxing under the bright lights at Northern Rivers Showdown

BALLINA Boxing Gym will stage its first major event in years with the Fight Night Northern Rivers Showdown at Lennox Head Cultural Centre on Saturday, October 18.

It will be the first boxing night the gym has run in about 15 years and a rare chance for its fighters to compete in front of a home crowd.

The event will feature up to 20 amateur bouts from lightweight to heavyweight.

“We’ve got some talented boxers across the Northern Rivers, and it will be great to give our guys some exposure,” event organiser Nick Pozoglou said.

The showdown is expected to attract fighters from clubs between Port Macquarie and Tweed Heads.

Ballina Boxing Gym will be represented by the likes of Eli Cook, Riley Pines, Jae Waters and Tex Wilson.

Kelly Hardaker is one of its best female prospects and has enjoyed success in competition over the past 12 months.

The gym has also produced Jessica Alsin, who will represent NSW at the under-13 level in the national junior and youth titles in Darwin.

Pozoglou said his team travels all around the country for competition and is looking forward to fighting in a major event at home.

“They’re always travelling, so hopefully the local community can get behind them and we put on a good show,” he said.

“It’s going to cost a bit of money to hold it, but to give these guys the chance to compete in front of family and friends is pretty special.

“A lot of work goes into matching them with fighters from other gyms and things can change along the way, but I’m confident we can bring boxing back in a big way.”

Tickets are available at stickytickets.com.au.