Ballina Boxing Gym to host second fight night in Lennox Head

BALLINA Boxing Gym will host its second Fight Night at Lennox Head Cultural Centre, showcasing local fighters alongside competitors from across the country.

It will be the second straight year the event has been held at the venue after returning following a 15-year hiatus.

Six members of the local gym will line up to fight, including top female prospect Kelly Hardaker.

Kyel Salt will return for the first time in several years, while others will step into the ring for their first bouts.

Event organiser Nick Pozoglou said the gym is working to establish regular fight nights locally, with plans to hold events every six months to give Far North Coast fighters more opportunities to compete.

“The last one was great, and this one’s going to be just as big,” Pozoglou said.

“We’ve got over 20 fights, and people coming from boxing gyms on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney.”

Pozoglou said hosting events locally is particularly valuable for fighters who would otherwise need to travel long distances to compete.

“We’re always travelling, so it’s good to give them a chance to fight at home in front of their supporters,” he said.

“It won’t give them a major advantage once they’re in there, but they do enjoy having a big crowd where they know the people.”

While a home crowd can provide a lift, Pozoglou said organising fight nights comes with challenges.

“They’re hard work, it takes a lot of time and can be a bit of a headache,” he said.

“You get fighters pulling out last minute and have to rematch things, but that’s part of the game.”

Despite the logistical hurdles, Pozoglou said the strong turnout at the last event, which drew more than 400 spectators, has been a major motivator.

“Hopefully we get that support again,” he said.

“It creates a great atmosphere and something we haven’t had a lot of here.”

Doors open at 3pm, with boxing from 4pm.