Cessnock boxing sensation Zack Fitzpatrick has claimed his third junior interstate title with a unanimous points decision against Rhys Takerei on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
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Fitzpatrick, 14, added the 44kg title to his 41kg and 38kg interstate titles and now gears up for his third Australian title at the national amateurs in Melbourne in November.
It is Fitzpatrick’s fourth title in the past 12 months, an incredible run which began with winning the Australian 38kg schoolboy title in November last year.
Fitzpatrick’s trainer Ben Crampton said the win was Fitzpatrick’s most impressive to date.
“Zack fought a very talented young boxer and was able to take the points unanimously,” he said.
“We have done a lot of work on his left jab and it really came to the fore on Saturday night.
“His combination punching is incredible for a boxer of his age.
“Both young fighters have really big futures in the sport.”
Fitzpatrick made the weight easily, weighing in at 40kg.
“Zack’s a naturally fit and slim kid, but you never push young boxers to go down to weights,” he said.
“They’re always growing at this stage and you can’t plan too far ahead in weight divisions as they are just as likely going to have a growth spurt and shift up a division or two.
“The main thing is to get Zack fights against quality opponents in weight divisions which suit him.”
Fitzpatrick will have his second fight in NSW at the upcoming Detonation 13 at Wests City in October. He claimed the NSW amateur title in his first fight in his home state at Detonation 12, finishing his fight against Grafton’s Jaiden Laming with a flurry of punches.
Cessnock’s Troy O’Meley headlined Detonation 12 winning the NSW 69.85kg professional title in a unanimous points decision.
It has not been confirmed at this stage if he will fight on the October card.
World Boxing Foundation super lightweight Blake Minto, who is also trained by Crampton, is likely to fight in October after a disappointing draw in a non-title fight against Queensland’s Luke Howlett in his first fight since claiming the title.
“Blake was pretty disappointed with that fight but is back in training and looking really good,” Crampton said.
“He is keen to defend his title, but whether that happens in October or later in the year we’re yet to decide.”
Another Crampton fighter Joel Griffiths is a certain starter in October as he trains towards fighting at light heavyweight. He has won his two professional fights to date.
