Peacock’s Gym comes away from the State Novice Championships with three title wins

Geraldton boxing experienced a successful weekend at the State Novice Championships at the Adriatic Centre in Stirling.

Leading the charge for Peacocks Boxing Gym was local Super Heavyweight Stu Vlahov, who faced off against the bigger 120kg Cole Jonathan from Mandurah in Saturday’s semi-final.

Vlahov established his jab early, landing it effectively on his slightly taller opponent, securing the first round, and the second could have gone either way.

In the final Vlahov continued to press Cooper Tatafu, turning it into a somewhat scrappy affair at times, but the Geraldton product emerged with a unanimous win to clinch the State Novice Championship.

Coach Jake Peacock said he was proud of the fighters’ efforts in Perth after faltering last year.

“Stu simply wanted it more and was willing to give his all in the ring,” he said.

“This served as his redemption for his first bout last year.

“An outstanding weekend of fighting; gratitude to those who came to support, and we eagerly anticipate the next one in two weeks.”

Another up and coming fighter from Peacock’s gym, “Young” Timmy McAulliffe required less than a round to secure his second title in as many fights, with a first-round demolition of Mandurah Fighter Fit’s Mitchell Woodward.

McAulliffe started steadily, but quickly unleashed a barrage of head and body shots in quick succession, prompting the referee to initiate the first count.

With only 20 seconds left in the ring, McAulliffe cornered his opponent, delivering another series of head shots that ended the fight and secure the Novice title to complement his Bronze Gloves title won last year.

Kyson “Lil Babe” Crudeli delivered the best performance of his career against Perth fighter Aiden La’batte.

Crudeli executed every shot in the book, including a left counter from his southpaw stance that momentarily sat his tough opponent on the canvas, although it was ruled a slip.

Body shots elicited a grimace from his opponent, and a well-executed check hook knocked him into the ropes, with the performance earning him a unanimous victory.

Geraldton’s Leighton Reid faced off in the semi-final against Southern Stars boxer Tanaka Suburu.

Reid started slowly, taking two standing counts in the first round, but the second round saw improvement as Reid increased his work rate.

Despite absorbing incoming blows on his shoulders and elbows, the referee called the fight short as Reid failed to counter.

Ethan Slape, who advanced to the finals with a walkover, was unable to vie for the title as his opponent withdrew.