Hunter boxer Troy O'Meley has successful negotiated his way through his toughest challenge in the ring yet beating Indian fighter Sagar Narwat in a hugely entertaining fight at East Cessnock Bowling Club on Saturday night.
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The victory, in front of a big crowd at what looks like becoming the home of boxing in the Hunter, sets up a shot at the Australian super welterweight title against Adrian Rodriguez who beat Billy Limov for the vacant title in Brisbane earlier this month.
O'Meley looked to have Narwat on the ropes midway through the second round, but the previously unbeaten Indian fighter rallied and stayed the distance.
The official judges points decision was not announced, but it appeared O'Melely won all eight rounds for an 80-72 win on points.
O'Meley, who looked super fit, thanked his father and trainer Tony O'Meley and fitness trainer Brett Rohr, from Cessnock Total Fitness, for a gruelling training camp in preparation for the fight.
"It was a good experience for me, we had a big long training camp and trained the house down," said O'Meley, whose record is 10-0 now. "I took a lot of the training into the ring tonight which I'm happy with.
"He was a lot tougher than I thought he was going to be. I got him with a couple of good body shots and head shots and he kept on coming. I was really impressed, he was a really tough fighter.
"The preparation came in and in the sixth round I found the rhythm and was able to do what was needed to close out the win."
Troy said the support from the ECBC and the community meant so much to him and he hoped bringing the Australian title to Cessnock would help repay his debt of gratitude.
"Looks like we will have the Australian title next, a big fight here in Cessnock and continuing working towards my goal of a world title, of unifying the division."
Tony O'Meley praised his son's work ethic and dedication.
"A lot of people work on the 95 per cent, the stuff they are good at, but we work on the five per cent because I believe he is a world champion in the making," Tony said.
"I believe the better opponents Troy gets the better he will fight and that was reinforced tonight with a really good fight against a very good opponent."
Tony said the support given to Troy by the community and in particular the East Cessnock Bowling Club had been outstanding.
"ECBC, seriously, I can't thank them enough, What they do just not for the boxing but for the community here at Cessnock is just outstanding," he said.
"We've got a young fighter here who lives and breathes boxing, who'll give his heart in everything he does and they are giving him opportunities to achieve what he can, it's incredible.
