SUCCESS at a Golden Gloves tournament in Brisbane recently has given new impetus to the budding boxing career of Jackson Murphy.
The 15-year-old, of Frankston, won his two flyweight bouts (52kg) at the national championships and can now realistically dream of representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 and the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.
“It was his first trip on a plane and he was terrified,” dad Jason Murphy said. “He had two fights in two days and really stepped up to the plate, never losing a round in the three two-minute-round bouts.”
Jackson, in Year 9 at Frankston High School, fights at the Oakleigh Youth Club and “loves the fitness aspect” of the ‘sweet science’, Mr Murphy said.
“He used to play football and some of the bigger boys smashed him around a bit and he thought it would be a good idea to try boxing.
“I think it’s a good thing because it keeps him focused and away from bad influences. It’s got him interested in sport.
“He’s so keen he’s been training full on for the past couple of years.”
On the immediate horizon are the national titles in November and upcoming trials for the Youth Olympics to be held this year in St Petersburg, Russia.
Trips away cost money and Jackson is seeking sponsorship. Those interested should call Paul Layton at Oakleigh Youth Club on 0434 496 460.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 16 September 2015
