Chase Brisbane, 13, Urijah Harrington, 14, Murtaza Akbari, 16, and Izaiah Harrington, 12, alongside coach Zedda Harrington, made an impact at the Golden Gloves in Brisbane.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
All that glitters is gold, goes the famous Smash Mouth track All Star.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
And Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy sent four of them to the 2025 edition of the Golden Gloves boxing tournament in Queensland, with three young pugilists having their arms raised skyward by the referee as champion in their respective divisions.
That included first-time winner Murtaza Akbari in the light welterweight class.
The 16-year-old drew first blood against Lachlan Miller in his first bout at Eagle Sports Complex in mid-July, earning a third-round points decision to progress to the semi-final.
A gruelling encounter with New South Welshman Jayden Magnifico went the journey, but Akbari received the unanimous decision from the three-judge panel, setting up a final against South Australia’s Jamal Minaoui.
The GV boxer saved his best bout for last, earning a split decision win and the title, as well as the appreciation of coach Zedda Harrington, who now has six champions at the event.
“Murtaza's tournament in the Golden Gloves has been my favourite to date,” Harrington said.
“From day one to day three, he raised the bar. Boxing is tough — boxing day after day, you have to be made of a special material."
Golden Gloves winner Murtaza Akbari.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Akbari thanked the academy and his coach, declaring, "this is only the beginning’’.
He wasn’t the only academy talent to walk away with a Golden Gloves title, with brothers Urijah and Izaiah Harrington returning to the ring after impressing in their first international bouts in Fiji.
Urijah made his return to the Golden Gloves after his 2024 title and wasted no time settling back in, scoring a points win in his first bout.
The 14-year-old then found himself on the end of a contentious split decision from the judges in his semi-final, but with a move up a weight division, Harrington didn’t dwell on the result for long, prevailing against Michael Keath via referee stoppage in the second round.
His coach and father Zedda said it was a solid effort after the disappointment of his defeat, although his record still reads an impressive 17-5.
“I understand these events are huge and only possible with help and support,” Harrington said.
“It’s great volunteers are helping judge fights, but in Golden Gloves finals and big championship bouts, I'd like to see experienced judges ringside.”
Izaiah claimed his maiden Golden Gloves title via a split decision against opponent Keon Himiona, while clubmate Chase Brisbane, fighting 2kg above his weight class, brought home silver after a split decision went against him in his fight.
“Shepparton is far from your hot spot of boxing in Australia and for the gym to consistently be bringing home these achievements over the last few years is very special for our community and region,” Harrington said.