Izaiah Harrington, Kobe Pryde, Chase Birsbane, Knox Harrington and Urijah Harrington did Shepparton proud at state level.
Shepparton was well-represented at the Victorian State Titles as a host of rising boxing stars secured belts for the city - including newcomer Knox Harrington.
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An ensemble cast of rising stars made the trip down to the Whitehorse Club, Burwood as they looked to continue the Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy’s (GVBA) storied tradition of producing elite-level fighters.
After making the 200km journey down to Melbourne, Izaiah Harrington, Knox Harrington and Urijah Harrington, Kobe Pryde, Chase Brisbane and Murtaza Akbari certainly delivered on their billing as they made their mark on the big stage.
Accompanying the boys during the competition was GVBA coaching stalwart Zedda Harrington, who was on hand to offer up his expertise as well as encouragement as his group of fledglings prepared for their respective bouts.
The Shepp teenage pugilists proved imperious in their efforts in the ring, with Harrington brothers Izaiah and Urijah earning victories, while cousin Knox also came away with a unanimous points decision win.
Incredibly, in the case of the latter, he was making his debut in the ring at state level - as he came away with the Victorian title in what could prove to be a landmark moment in his burgeoning career on the canvas.
“It was an incredible occasion not just for the GVBA club but for the family and he boxed a kid who was having his fourth fight so it was a good match-up for a debut,” coach Zedda said.
“Knox won a unanimous points decision and demonstrated skills that were a thing of beauty - putting poetry in motion, dictating the range and controlling the action - it was a flawless victory to win a state title.
“His big cousins (Izaiah and Urijah) were cheering him on and it was a memorable moment for the family.
“It was really positive signs for the Harrington’s and Knox wants to get back in there straight away.
“We’ll keep on working with him in the gym and we’ll get him ready for the Golden Gloves in August next.”
Meanwhile, Pryde also came away with the spoils in his contest, as Brisbane and Akbari also returned home following vital learning experiences from their bouts in what proved to be a successful showing from the GVBA contingent.
As Zedda reflected on a week to remember at the State Titles, he spoke with pride about how his young fighters conducted themselves during the garland occasion.
Sibling pair Izaiah Harrington and Urijah Harrington impressed alongside cousin Knox at the State Titles.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“It’s the biggest event for amateur boxing in Victoria annually because of what is at stake in terms of Nationals qualification for the winners,” he said.
Gaining invaluable experience in terms of the processes involved in preparing for matches, alongside gaining expert knowledge from household names, their coach believes experience will stand the boys in good stead.
“They took it in their stride, everything that Skye (Nicholson) said really hit home,” Zedda continued.
“It was a really good lead up to the state titles, with running alongside Eddie Hearn and talking with him about the biggest fights coming up in the UK.”
The continued rise of these Goulburn Valley talents shows no signs of halting any time soon either with five Shepparton starlets having recently been named in the Victoria State Team ahead of the Nationals in Brisbane.
The awesome foursome representing GVBA - the most in the club’s history - will also be joined by fellow hometown hopeful Kallym Huffer up in Queensland between July 8 and 11.
Looking ahead to this event, coach Zedda spoke with excitement as he previewed what promises to be a compelling occasion, as his fighters prepare for five sessions put on by Boxing Victoria in Melbourne in the lead-up.
“Four (selections) from a country club is pretty rare,” the coach said.
“From a coaching perspective, what we’re trying to build at GVBA is to be able to break down that barrier - we want opponents to go home and know they’ve fought a country boxer.”
Next up, the boys from the Shepparton club will be heading off to the Aus Club championships down at the Dom Polski Centre in Adelaide between May 22-24.
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