Shepparton's Brooklyn Andresen is preparing for his debut professional fight. Photo: Team Ellis Promotions
The father of three-time Victorian champion Brooklyn Andresen has called on the people of Shepparton to get behind the homegrown boxer — as he prepares for his first professional fight.
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Having first donned his gloves back in 2013, the 23-year-old already boasts international experience across five countries and is now set for arguably the biggest bout of his fledgling career to date.
Following nearly 30 amateur fights, the super-welterweight ace will take to the canvas on the “Pretender to Contender” card at Melbourne Pavilion in just under two months’ time.
While juggling his role as a personal trainer at the Team Ellis gym in Melbourne, the highly rated pugilist is currently counting down the days until his debut professional clash on May 2.
Twice a runner-up in the Australian Amateurs division, he previously trained with the late Shepparton boxer Dwight Ritchie. After the tragic passing of sparring partner “The Fighting Cowboy”, Brooklyn took an extended break from boxing — as he processed his grief following the tragic passing of his fellow competitor and friend.
However, slowly but surely, the talent’s passion for the sport rekindled, sparked by a move to Norway during his gap year at the age of 18. While adjusting to life in the Arctic Circle, the then-teenager gradually fell back into boxing in what proved to be a seminal moment in his young life.
“Then he went over to Norway on his gap year after Year 12 and wasn’t supposed to fight but went to the gym there to do a bit of training,” his dad Peter said.
“He got on the phone to me and his mother and said ‘can you send my boxing gear over? I’m going to get back into it and do a bit of fighting’. Someone saw him training and said ‘you look like you know what you’re doing, mate’.”
After successfully sparring with the Norwegian national champion, the Shepparton starlet caught the eye of the country’s talent spotters - who quickly offered him the rare opportunity of representing the nation at the Suzuki Boxing competition in Poland.
Brooklyn Andresen has been training with household names at his gym in Melbourne. Photo: Team Ellis Promotions
He lost on points to the No. 2 ranked fighter from the host country at the event but got back to winning ways with a subsequent trip to Iceland as he reignited his love for the sport he now calls his profession. Two more bouts in Norway saw him clinch victory on both occasions, as he continued his rich vein of form in Scandinavia.
Returning to Victoria after a year to remember in the Nordic States, the youngster quickly returned to the ring after enrolling at Melbourne’s La Trobe University for a degree in Sports Science. From there, he caught the eye of the city’s Team Ellis after an exhibition fight on a professional card in December, setting him on the pathway towards turning professional.
The brainchild of five-time world champion Lester "The Master Blaster" Ellis, the promotion house has been a breeding ground for current champion Tommy Fitzgerald, alongside stars including Michael Zerafa and Tayla Harris. Now, the hope is that Brooklyn is well-placed to become the next household name to emerge from the gym’s healthy development program.
The Shepparton boxer’s current training program sees him regularly spar with current IBF belt holder Liam Paro and Australian and fellow IBF youth champion Mitch Leek. Sporting figures such as rugby league’s Tayla Harris, Australian lightweight belt holder Tommy Fitzgerald and even 18-time major world championship victor Terence Crawford have made an appearance at the gym before now.
Brooklyn Andersen’s professional bow will take place in the coming months. Photo: Team Ellis Promotions
“Team Ellis believes (in him) and also, Barry Michael, who was a former world champion and fought Lester Ellis for the world title, says Brooklyn has great ability,” Peter said.
“Graeme Brook, who fought for the Commonwealth title, loves him. They believe he’s got what it takes.
“He’s learning from the best and they’re a great team.”
Closer to home, Brooklyn’s dad cannot contain his pride at his boy’s exploits in the ring as the countdown continues to his debut pro bout.
“We’re very proud. He’s been through a lot. It’s been very hard and takes a lot of travel, time and dedication. You’ve got to eat right and you can’t be drinking and partying with your mates,” he said.
“It’s a big sacrifice but he’s definitely got what it takes to get right to the top, we believe.”
Now, the great young hope’s dad is calling on the people of Shepparton to get behind their famous son.
With sponsorship opportunities available for local companies, he is eager for firms to give Brooklyn their backing for his landmark inaugural professional bow.
“With a sport like that, you can’t really do it without people getting behind you and supporting you,” he said.
“Brooklyn gets a lot of support from his gym now. It’s all about getting the community behind him and sponsors. That’s awesome.”
