WHEN Riley Shanahan walked into a Warrnambool boxing gym almost two years ago, the then 11-year-old doubted he would be able to pack a punch.
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Now 12 years old, he is poised to make his amateur boxing debut with eight other fighters in a Victoria versus Tasmania showdown across Bass Strait next week.
“A friend was talking about boxing one day and I’ve always liked it. If it was on TV, I would always want to watch it,” he said.
“He just encouraged me. I didn’t even know if I would be able to fight. I wanted to, but I didn’t think I would be good enough.”
Three sessions a week, plus sparring on weekends, against older and bigger fighters has the year 7 Emmanuel College student primed for his maiden bout.
“On the weekend in Melbourne was the first time against kids my age. I really enjoyed it,” he said.
Riley said he was surprised by mum Renae and dad Phil’s reaction to him boxing.
“She (Renae) was happy to see me doing what I want to and that I enjoy it,” he said.
“I’ve got braces and I thought that might be a bit of a problem but it wasn’t. The game plan is not to get hit.”
Riley was a member of Hawks’ under 14 Hampden football league premiership this year but he is undecided about playing next season.
“It depends. If I really enjoy this (boxing), I will probably continue with boxing and get more fights. I’ll just see at the end of this,” he said.
Riley has never been to Tasmania but he is looking forward to his first visit for the December 6 bout.
Coach Rod Ryan, from Rudy’s Boxing, said Riley was an impressive kid with untapped potential.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had someone so young,” he said. “It’s been a bit of a waiting game.
“But he’s such a natural little boxer. He loves it and trains so hard.”
Ryan said his speed and smooth movements around the ring were important assets.
Ryan is taking nine fighters to the O’Callaghan Boxing Club tournament in Penguin.
Elite netballer Britt Hyland will make her boxing debut with Patty Wheatley, Jye Clark, Sam Dwyer, Nathan McLean, Greg Bell, Angus Dalziel and Louis O’Connor also fighting.