SOME say champions are born. But two local boxers who were recently crowned Auckland champions in their divisions say what it all really comes down to is hard work and determination.
Dieter, who won the intermediate (16-18 year-olds) heavyweight (81-92kg) class, and Neil, who won the under 72kg division, are both ecstatic with their victories, saying all their hard work has paid off.
“I’m really stoked with my win,” says Dieter, 17. “There’s been a lot of hard work that went into my fight and it’s good to see that I came away with a win.”
Fifteen-year-old Neil says: “I felt really good about myself after the win. I was really looking forward to it and I had been training hard for it, so I’m glad it all came through.”
It was the first time the pair had competed at the Auckland championships. It was also their first titles respectively, which makes their wins even more extraordinary.
“It was my first title. I only started boxing this year so to win I was amazed,” says Neil.
Dieter says: “It’s the first time I had gone to the Auckland champs. I was going to go last year but I suffered a few injuries, so this is my first Auckland title and hopefully there’s going to be a lot more.”
Despite the big victories for the boys, it’s their stories about how they initially became boxers that are intriguing.
Zimbabwean-born Neil has been in New Zealand for four years and only took up boxing in February, after his father bought him a Revill’s boxing gym membership for his birthday.
“I’ve only been boxing for six months. I got a membership for the gym as a birthday present from my dad and from there me and boxing just clicked,” says Neil.
The Pakuranga College student’s rapid success has given him new goals in life, which include representing New Zealand at the next Olympics.
“I want to continue boxing as a sport which will hopefully give me the chance to represent New Zealand at the Olympics. I want to do my best for them as it’s my new country.”
Howick College student Dieter started boxing as a form of fitness
three years ago. He originally had no intention to fight but just to lose weight.
“When I started it was more something to do with fitness. I just got into it because I wanted to do a sport and lose a bit of weight. I ended up losing 15kg when I first started and really liked it so I stuck with it. I then developed over the years and got into fighting.”
Dieter says his win at the Auckland champs has given him more inspiration to go further in the sport which he hopes will be a shot at the New Zealand championships at the end of the month.
He also has a dream of one day competing at the Olympics and has eyes set on London 2012.
Both lads are grateful of the work former NZ heavyweight champion Lance Revill has put into them.
They say the Auckland titles they won also belong to Revill, as he’s been a great life coach and trainer, teaching them all the experience he’s gained over the years.
The duo will be back in the ring at the end of the month, as Revill hosts an amateur boxing tournament at Pakuranga Rugby Clubrooms. It starts at 7pm on August 30. Phone 021 738 269 for more details.
