Sport
7 May, 2025
Future of North West boxing in good hands
It was young talent time at the Brothers In Arms boxing event.
It was the mothers at the ringside who appeared the most nervous when four youngsters opened the North West Amateur Titles on Sunday night.
Aged 9 and 10, they competed in a special 30kg division that proved there is looming local talent among the youngest generation of boxers.
Among the willing lads was 10-year-old Rayan Sharma, who started boxing four months ago.
The Grade 6 Happy Valley State School student said he wasn’t concerned about the big crowd.
“I was feeling a bit nervous when I found out on Tuesday that I would be fighting here,” he said.
“But I just took some deep breaths and told myself ‘it’s all going to be alright’.”
Rayan’s mother, Anu, was not so sure.
She said she felt the adrenaline rushing as she watched Rayan strap on the gloves.
“I think every mother is a bit nervous but he really loves the sport and he was really looking forward to this,” she said.
Brothers in Arms trainer Wade Remington said he could still remember competing in his first bout when he was 12 years old.
He said acclimatising the kids to the audiences at a young age made them more prepared fighters at they grew older.
“We just wanted to get the kids into the ring so they can get used to the judges and the crowds and the atmosphere,” he said.
“It’s great to see the kids being willing to get in and have a go.
“I was almost as young as them when I had my first fight so I know what it’s like.”