It was hard earned but Michael ‘Hammo’ Hamilton couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present than a State title belt.
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The former Glen Innes-turned Tamworth boxer won the NSW lightweight title earlier this month and now has his sights set on the Australian belt.
He celebrated his 30th birthday the day before the fight although, coinciding with the weigh-in, cake might have been a bit scarce.
“It was a good birthday present but a hard-earned birthday present,” he said.
His first title win as a professional, Hamilton won on TKO against John Min in the sixth of eight rounds, although he felt he was on top for most of the fight.
“I was winning every round,” Hamilton said.
He had never fought his opponent before, and didn’t admittedly know a lot about Min, other than he had some power, ahead of the bout staged at Club Punchbowl in Sydney.
“We just had a game to work off my jabs and keep my defence nice and tight,” he said.
“We knew it would be tough.
“But it all went to plan.
“I chopped him down each round and felt beautiful at the end following six rounds.”
Hamilton started boxing when he was 12, when his father took him to a local shed in Glen Innes. Ever since then Hamilton said his goal was to turn pro.
He did that while he was in Glen Innes and is yet to be beaten.
“I’ve had three pro fights now and won them all comfortably,” Hamilton said.
After initially spending a bit of time out of the ring when he moved to Tamworth 11 months ago, Hamilton picked up the gloves again about four months ago and has been training under Paul Saunders at the Boxing Shed at the PCYC.
“Paul has been great,” he said.
“I’ve definitely improved and become a better boxer over the last four months.”
Hamilton, currently ranked inside the top 10 in Australia, and Saunders are now plotting a challenge for the Australian belt.
“I want to have another fight and hopefully win that,” Hamilton said.
The plan is then to defend his NSW title, vacate that and fight for the Australian title.
- FACTFILE
- Michael Hamilton
- Age: 30
- Division: Lightweight (NSW Champion)
- Stance: Orthodox
- Record: 3-0
- Australian ranking: 12th – 1. George Kambosos Jr, 2. Kye Mackenzie, 3. Qamil Balla, 4. Brandon Ogilvie, 5. Billel Dib, 6. Josh King, 7. Anthony Brownlie, 8. Brendan Saunders, 9. Waylon Law, 10. Gearoid Clancy, 11. Issaka Isaah, 12. Michael Hamilton.