NAMBUCCA’S doctor of the sweet science, Mitchell Whitelaw, is hoping to make a statement in his professional boxing debut at Cudgen Leagues Club on October 22.
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Mitchell, a light heavyweight, has had a stellar amateur career and he will step between the ropes to face Kingscliff’s Joshua Fredrickson in what will also be his maiden outing as a pro.
The promotion is being run by Nambucca Heads trainer Ian ‘Sparra’ Stapleton, and his stable will have a heavy presence on the night.
As well as Mitchell, Dorrigo’s Danny Beverly will also shape up for Team Sparra.
This will be Danny’s fifth fight in the pro ranks where he has a record of a win, a draw and two losses. Out to stop him in a lightweight clash with Luke Toopi.
Sparra told the Guardian there will also be four to five amateur bouts on the program, one of which will feature his son, the hugely talented Mitchel Stapleton.
The powerful 17-year-old will look to tee-off on Bribie Island’s James Torres, who is seven years his senior, in a welterweight clash that promises much.
In preparation for the event, a number of professional boxers have been gathering at Nambucca Heads for sparring, including Taree’s Adam Fitzsimmons, who also trains with Sparra.
One recent visitor to the home-based Nambucca gym was Kempsey pro Renold Quinlan, who recently moved to the Mid North Coast from Sydney.
Renold has linked with trainer George Ptolemy, and has a 10 win, one loss record, with the sole defeat being an Australian title fight.
A chance to return to the pinnacle of the sport is near for Renold, as he will battle Tasmania favourite Daniel Geale in Launceston on October 14.
Geale is a former unified middleweight champion, having won the IBF title in 2011 and the WBA (Super) title in 2012, as well as the IBO middleweight title in 2007. As an amateur, Geale won a gold medal in the welterweight division at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Renold, 26, is an up-and-coming super middleweight fighter and the battle with Geale will be over 12 rounds for the vacant IBO title.
Meanwhile, two of Sparra’s boxers tasted success at a recent promotion at Casino.
Kyle Miller’s stoush with journeyman Scott Copeland was the main event, and big Kyle got the nod with a unanimous points decision in the four rounder.
“I wasn’t pressured at all. I think I only felt about three hits the whole time,” Kyle said.
Also in action was Mitchel Stapleton, in a 67kg exhibition bout. While it was supposed to be only an ‘exo’, the other lad copped a little sleep when Mitchel caught him flush on the chin.
