Izaiah and Urijah Harrington pose with their most recent silverware.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the size of the fight in the dog.
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It’s a statement as cliche as they come, but it rings all too true for the young Harrington boxers fighting above weight class and age group to strive to be the best in their discipline.
Both Izaiah and Urijah Harrington of Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy took their talents across the ditch to New Zealand, fighting in the Dley Boxing Tournament in Ōtara, Auckland last month, and once again ended the bouts with their hands raised up.
But while it was a unique experience for the young teenagers to fight in a foreign country, elements made it feel a lot closer to home.
The pair are of half-New Zealand descent, and spent days in the land of the long white cloud visiting regions to learn about their family ties and lineage’s history, spurring extra motivation to deliver knockout blows in the ring.
“It was special for them,” coach and father Zedda Harrington said.
Thirteen-year-old Izaiah was once again required to go up a weight class for his fight against Kiwi local Antonio Lesoa, but the challenge is one the youngster has grown used to.
Izaiah Harrington (left) won in a weight class above in New Zealand.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“Izzy’s become accustomed to being the smaller boy in the fight,” Harrington said.
“He said he’s used to trusting his skills and having a lot of heart, so it’s more credit for him to come away with the win.”
Harrington’s opponent was fierce out the gates and won the first round on the scorecard, but the light footed Sheppartonian scored big wins in rounds two and three.
Meanwhile, 14-year-old Urijah, a bottom-ager in the junior category (under-17s) was matched with a top age student two years older, marking one of the more challenging fights yet for the GVBA prodigy.
“You’re always battling against it as a bottom-ager, no matter what sport, but in boxing maturity and development in the ring counts for a lot,” Harrington said.
“He fought a really hard contested fight and won by split decision.”
It’s yet another case of the Harringtons being thrown in the deep end and coming up trumps.
In a solo sport like boxing, the mental game can outweigh the physicality at times, and is why Harrington is proud of his fighters for taking every disadvantage in their stride.
Zedda Harrington with his champion sons.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“The boys have been around boxing since they were young, and they’ve seen people come to the gym and leave the gym soon after - they know it’s one of the easiest sports to quit,” he said.
“Boxing is tough mentally and there’s always challenges around the corner.
“It’s just part of the journey and they take it on with a keen attitude.”
Another jam-packed year is set for the Goulburn Valley glove-wearers too.
GVBA is hoping to make the trip up north to the Sunshine Coast Regional Titles in March, while the King of the Ring tournament in Sydney is scheduled in April.
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