Laws in New South Wales mean Rome Toomey and Dasher Hill won’t be able to step into the ring until they are 14 years of age.
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But there’s every chance to duo could be seasoned professionals by then if their debut performances in Tasmania on the weekend are anything to go by.
Toomey, 11, and Hill both won their debut bouts in the Interstate Cup at Sorell, just out of Hobart. The pair were able to step into the ring as Tasmania is one of the states which allows boxers to start at age 10.
Toomey is the son of Dubbo’s own former Australian lightweight champion, Robert ‘Gummy’ Toomey, and his father and Pound for Pound Boxing and Fitness trainer was thrilled to see the young guns impress.
“It was good to give them the experience because they’ve been training for awhile now and it keeps them in the sport,” he said.
“It was well-matches there too and it was a good trip so before Christmas we’re going to go again for another fight.
“It’s 14 before you can fight in NSW so you can lose them from the sport but it’s 10 in Tasmania and Queensland and 12 in Victoria so there’s a few opportunities there.”
The young Toomey, who has been around the gym for almost his entire life, admitted to some nerves before his first bout but his father said both he and Hill showed good skill.
“We’re going to start venturing out as the progress goes on,” Toomey on.
“He (Rome) has been around the gym since he was about two … it was pleasing to give him that first fight and something to look forward to rather than just training and coming along because I’m here.
“Now he’s got a purpose and reason to train.”
John Hill Jnr, the older brother of Dasher, made the trip to Sorell as well. He was originally going to just support and assist but a bout was organised against the previously undefeated Jack Stewart.
Hill Jnr, fighting at 54kg, showed speed and guile to take the win on points and improve his own record to 12-3.
“He was coming and we got him on and he was well-matched but he had to step up again in weight,” Toomey said.
“He handled it really well and that was pleasing. 54kg seems to suit him but we’ll probably drop back to 51kg now, where he’s the NSW champion, and keep him defending that.”
A crew of Pound For Pound fighters, including title winners Hill, Hunter Barnes and Enja Prest will head to Mulwala on the Victoria border this weekend for another fight night.
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.
