The chance to fight for your country is something every athlete strives for and three Dubbo boxers will get the opportunity to do just that on Saturday in Auckland.
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Pound For Pound Boxing and Fitness trio Ayla Barker, Enja Prest and John Hill will all step into the ring as part of an Australia versus New Zealand fight night.
And for Barker, it’s going to extra special.
Barker shot to recognition in 2014 and 2015 on her way to claiming the Australian 60kg title.
But since then bouts have been hard to find, largely due to Barker’s quality and higher skill level than most other pugilists in the region.
“I haven’t had a fight in a while so I’m very excited,” she said, preparing for her bout since February of last year.
“It’s been about a year and a half so scared, nervous, excited all at once.”
While it has been a long time since Barker’s last bout preparation is not an issue as she has been training almost non-stop with Toomey and his off-sider Graham Wallace while also ensuring her fitness levels have remained high.
The bouts featuring Barker and Prest will be some of the most keenly watched on the night as there is a chance the female winners may advance on to an Oceania Championships event in Tahiti later this year, but there is still some organising to be done for that to become a reality.
It’s been about a year and a half (since last fight) so scared, nervous, excited all at once.
- Ayla Barker
Barker has won 11 of her 12 fights while Prest is the current rising star, having scored eight wins so far since starting her career under Robert ‘Gummy’ Toomey at Pound For Pound.
“Even just go overseas represent the gym will be great and it will be a good experience,” Prest said.
“I’ve always wanted a sport to take me overseas so this will be great.
“It will be a step up but you’ve got to step up to the mark and ‘Gummy’ has got faith in us all and we’ve done good prep this time. It hasn’t been easy but it’s good and you’ve got to make sure you’re on point when you’re going all the way over there.
“It will be interesting to see, fighting internationally, if their style is different … it could be different and its in their home town so there’s some extra pressure.”
While there is plenty of motivation for both Prest and Barker, the Auckland fight night is another chance for young gun Hill to learn.
The Dubbo College student, fighting at 54kg, has shown an incredible amount of potential early in his caeer and is thrilled his first trip overseas will be on as memorable as this.
“I’m very excited. It’s going to be good fun, going for a few days,” he said.
“It’s more experience and my first time overseas. I’m happy with my record at this stage, last fight I lost on points sadly but up until then I was undefeated so it’s about getting that confidence back.”
While all the focus is on this weekend’s bouts, both Prest and Hill are also preparing for the Australian Novice Titles on July 7 and 8.
“I’ve been preparing for that all year,” Hill added.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
