Stepping into the ring in his first professional fight after years of hard training and working though the amateur ranks, local 58kg super featherweight Michael Hamilton said win, lose or draw, he was happy to have achieved a life-long goal.
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As it was, the determined local boxer came away with a comfortable win in his professional debut, topping established pro-fighter Alistair Lardner in four rounds at the Newcastle Panthers Club on Friday, July 28.
“He was a very tough boy,” Hamilton said, relying on his agility and speedy jabs to stay ahead of Lardner who has already chalked up five professional fights.
“It was the best experience of my life.”
Coming away with a 40 to 36 point win over the four rounds, Hamilton pinned his success to hard training and the support of both family and team in Glen Innes and Newcastle.
Keeping cool and calm in the lockers, Hamilton weighed in a 58.75kg and said, unlike his earlier amateur fights, he managed to keep the nerves at bay stepping into the ring after years of anticipation.
“At the end of the day, I was achieving a life-long goal,” he said.
“Win lose or draw I was just happy to be there.”
Stepping into the ring, the local fighter now ranked 10th in the country for super featherweight boxers, said he was able to keep a comfortable handle on Lardner and after the first round gong extended his lead to claim the fight.
“The first round felt pretty comfortable,” he said.
“I’d trained hard in the lead up and felt like I was ready.”
Claiming the fight with quick jabs and light feet, the local contender said he is looking forward to his next fight, which could be as early as September, and is keen to keep his winning record.
“I want to keep my record,” he said.
“I’ll probably be more nervous for the next one, because I don’t want to get beaten,”
Coming out of a close-knit team of fighters based in Newcastle, Hamilton said he owed his success to trainer Neville Short, his fellow boxers, and his father who supports the ambitious pro-fighter in a rigorous local training schedule.
“They have helped me so much,” he said.
“We are all one team, we help each other out. It feels like home down there.”
Eager to hold his own on the professional circuit, it’s back to work for Hamilton, continuing an unrelenting daily training schedule on the road to the top of his field.
