Rookie boxer makes immediate impact
Dion Hall, left, Devon Edwards and Liam Hall celebrate Devon’s dream debut. Photo: Supplied.
Whakatu Boxing Club coach Dion Hall loves a good left hook. So, when his latest charge Devon Edwards unleashed them in his first fight, Dion was delighted.
The 17-year-old came to the trainer’s Nelson gym earlier this year and was taken along patiently.
The U70kg boxer went to Christchurch to make his debut against Lewis Taylor, another 17-year-old from Timaru, over three two-minute rounds.
“Devon was throwing combinations and took charge in the final round to win a unanimous points decision,” declares Dion, whose Timaru-based brother Liam helped as a corner man during the bout.
It capped off a big year for Dion’s select team which trains out of the Celtic Squash Club venue.
The highlight was Lopeti Aiolupotea winning a national title in Wellington in September. Under his mentor’s guidance he’s dropped from 120kgs to 85kgs since taking up boxing two years ago.
“We are having a break now and will get back in to training in January,” says Dion.