VALLA Beach tyro Izak Handley added a second major boxing title to his name when he scored an all the way unanimous points decision over Caloundra’s Bryce Schaefer at a tournament at Kingscliff.
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Over three, two-minute rounds, Izak out-thought and out-boxed Schaefer, the same lad he edged for a national title in Perth in November.
His latest win secured the interstate 51kg belt, and trainer Ian ‘Sparra’ Stapleton, was well impressed.
In fact, Izak could just as well have stepped to the ring in a white coat and be nicknamed The Doctor, given the surgical strikes he used to clinically put Schaefer away.
While he has enjoyed a growth spurt and shot up, Izak is still light in weight and like most in the class he throws a lot - but they’re considered, efficient and scorers with the judges.
“He’s a classy boxer and he boxed beautifully,” Sparra told the Guardian.
His opponent is also highly ranked - with Zak getting the bikkies in Perth and Kingsliff, while the Caloundra lad had his arm raised earlier this year when they met in Dorrigo.
“I knew I could beat him if I did everything right,” Zak said.
Equally pleasing for the small team from Sparra’s gym who travelled to Kingscliff was the win of local tree-feller Waide Colton - who had his first victory in eight contests.
Waide got a unanimous points decision over Kingscliff’s Connor Douglas - never an easy thing before a baying home crowd.
Going into the fight with a record of six losses and one draw, Sparra said Waide had benefitted from “a bit of dedication and some good living. He’s been training the house down”.
Waide said he enjoyed the trip home to Nambucca Heads, as they left the ‘monkey-on-the-back’ on the Far North Coast.
“It was great to finally get the win because it had taken long enough,” he said. “They can keep ‘em coming now.”
Sparra’s daughter, Keeley, and son, Mitch, were the other two fighters to travel to Kingscliff, but they couldn’t be matched and were restricted to exhibition bouts.
Keeley had been in only light training but still gave a good account of herself against Daniela Hill of Caloundra while Mitch enjoyed a good hitout with Chris Skinner of Casino.
All four fighters, possibly with the addition of big Mark Hoystead, are hoping to be matched this weekend at an Australian Boxing League promotion at Casino.
