THE Harringtons of Kyabram have a history in the sport of boxing going back four generations.
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And their next star, eight-year-old Urijah Harrington, recently stepped into the ring for his first taste of the family tradition.
Son of former champion boxer Zedda Harrington and grandson of the late Titch Harrington — one of the best to come out of the Goulburn Valley region — Urijah made his debut on February 29 in St Albans.
And while it is illegal in the Victoria to fight under the Boxing Victoria or League banner until they are 12 years old, licensed officials run regular inter-club tournaments for Pee Wee age groups that hold them in good stead for when they embark on an amateur career.
For his first bout, Urijah was put up against Alex Volpert, who had already fought twice previously and was a year his senior.
Father and coach Zedda Harrigton said he displayed everything they had been working on in the lead-up — amazing defence, well-placed combinations and beautiful footwork.
“Urijah is a natural, but that doesn’t deny the fact he puts in a tremendous amount of work,” he said.
“He is so driven, while most kids are eating junk and playing video games, he is working overtime and sacrificing life’s pleasures to improve and make weight.”
“To see what he does at his tender age blows me away, but I also know what cloth he is cut from.
“The kid will really make his mark on the boxing world if he sets his mind to it.”
Urijah hopes to one day represent Australia, or New Zealand through his mother’s family.
Either way, boxing runs in the Harrington blood and the stream is flowing beautifully.
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