Guy Drinkwater has been hard at it for the last month for the upcoming Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament to be held in Queensland from August 21 to 24.  

Drinkwater recently took a long deserved break from Oyster farming on Wallis Lake to travel to New Zealand.  But it wasn’t an ordinary holiday for Guy who kept his training up while there at a boxing gym, sparring eight round sessions with local professional boxers.

Final Round Boxing trainer Paul Cheers said he expects Drinkwater to do well in Queensland as he always puts 100 per cent into his training. 

Drinkwater will compete in the middle weight division against the best amateur boxers in his class over a two day elimination system. 

“There are to date over 200 boxers nominated to compete at this elite level so a win would definitely be fantastic for him, our club and our town,” Cheers said. 

Drinkwater says he is feeling confident ahead of the national event.   

“I’m feeling a lot better than the last two (fights). I’m definitely a lot more confident.  I need to get a bit fitter so I’ve been doing some high intensity training, trying to get my heart rate up. I’ll be training pretty hard for this event and hopefully it will pay off.” 

Drinkwater says he is extremely appreciative to his sponsor Barraclough and Jones Solicitors of Tuncurry who have made it possible for him to travel to Queensland.

Other local boxer, Beau Kawelmacher is also back in the gym training hard whilst trying to juggle his HSC study commitments.

Kawelmacher has the NSW State Titles firmly in his sights and is hoping to successfully defend his middle weight title in Sydney later this year. 

The local gym has also been fortunate enough to have legendary father and son boxers Darren and Adam Fitzsimmons from Old Bar in for some training.

“They have been providing quality sparring for the local boys,” Cheers said. 

“Adam has recently turned professional and is great for both Guy and Beau’s pre fight preparations. It’s a perfect level of intensity for what Guy will face at Golden Gloves.”  

Darren Fitzsimmons will travel to Newcastle on August 29 for the NSW Welterweight Masters Title. 

Along with his son Adam, Darren travels as far south as Newcastle after finishing a day’s work to spar with other professional boxers from the Hunter. 

“I know what it feels like to face off with Darren, he has no reverse gear, he’s constantly in your face and that’s what it takes to win a title fight. I have no doubt that Darren will be bringing home the belt,” Cheers said. 

Final Round Boxing will host an exhibition boxing night at Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club on Wednesday September 3 from 6pm. Members of the community are welcomed to attend.