Kyson Crudeli takes out under-15s Golden Gloves title as Geraldton puts up strong performance at State fight

Four Geraldton boxers travelled to Perth last month for the final Boxing WA event of the year, putting up strong performances across the board. The State title event was held on November 26 in Perth, and three members of Peacocks Boxing Gym and one from Skybox Gym made the trip to go against some of WA’s best talent. Young gun Kyson Crudeli was up in the under-15s 46kg open division Bronze Gloves match against a former opponent Solie Barker, from Broome. There was unfinished business for Crudeli, who lost to Barker a year ago in a fight in Broome, but now the pair faced off in a new weight class. In the rematch, Crudeli had the upper hand as he kept Barker under pressure and a string of unanswered blows forced a count in the second round, earning him the win and a chance to fight for Golden Gloves. In the title match, Crudeli was up against another previous opponent, Rocky Baggetta, who Crudeli had beaten just months prior in Geraldton for the regional title. The results was no different this time around, as Crudeli’s pressure in the rough bout gave him the win by split decision and the Golden Gloves title. Coming away with the win was a big moment for the young fighter who had trained hard coming into the event. “A lot (of preparation), five or four times a week of boxing training and getting up like three times a week for early morning running,” Crudeli said. “Yeah it was pretty good, got the job done, was just a bit scrappy … it was good because I wanted that for a long time now and finally got it.” Known local fighter Eric Kyanga faced off against New Zealand’s Josh Tonga. Kyanga went up a division for the chance to fight for the Youth 80kg Golden Glove Title, but was overmatched against an opponent with a weight advantage. With the fight looking one-sided, his coach Jake Peacock threw in the towel as Kyanga was showing no sign of giving in. “Eric has a huge heart, but the fight was only going one way and I’d prefer to keep him for another day,” Peacock said. “Eric has huge talent and his time will come.” In just his second fight, Tim McAulliffe was in the final for the Novice Men’s 63.5kg Bronze Gloves Title. The pressure from McAulliffe put off his opponent in the fast paced fight as he won on a unanimous points decision. “It was just a second fight for me, so pretty nervous … really good to get the win because I lost my first fight,” McAulliffe said. “To get back in three months later and have a win, was really rewarding … after losing that first one I came down to the gym and worked a bit harder.” The final fighter, Sharreef Mohammad, was in the final for the Youth 57kg Golden Gloves Title, as he faced State champ Shahob Ibrahimi, but Ibrahimi got the win by split points decision in the close contest.