Held from Thursday, November 20 to Saturday, November 22, about 150 fights were contested in divisions ranging from sub junior to senior.
Justice Boxing sent three fighters to the titles and it was the hard-hitting Steven Schenk who brought gold back to his local gym.
Fighting at light heavyweight (78-81kg), Schenk’s first bout was on Friday, battling Shaqalim Miller in a scheduled four two-minute rounds, but the fight didn’t go the distance.
Schenk rocked Miller with a body shot in the first round, forcing Miller to answer a standing eight count, before finishing him off in the second.
The local fighter needed even less time in the title fight on Saturday, knocking out opponent Shannon Young with a low-high combination in the first round.
“A devastating left rip to the body and a right cross to the head and that was the end of it,” Justice Boxing’s Barry Quinlan said.
“Steven’s a very hard hitter and a very good boxer.”
Australian 2012 Olympian and reigning International Boxing Federation and The Ring cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia was in the crowd for Schenk’s final.
Quinlan said Opetaia’s father, his trainer, spoke with Schenk after the bout and was impressed with the local’s performance.
Justice Boxing’s other fighters weren’t able to replicate their stablemate’s success, both falling by decision in their opening contests.
Fifteen-year-old Thor Burns went down narrowly by decision to Adnan Babayee in the junior division, fighting at 57-60kg.
The Justice Boxing team thought Burns had done enough to earn the decision himself, but the judges awarded the fight to Babayee.
Burns’ lead-up form had earned him a bye through Thursday’s action, so the defeat still saw him claim bronze in the division.
Two-time national champion Jamie Marek also lost by decision.
Fighting Dhian Uys at 75-78kg, Marek’s fight was cut from four rounds to three due to time constraints, a change that didn’t favour the local’s endurance.
“Lots of times, Jamie might lose the first round, but people can't keep up with his work rate,” Quinlan said.
“He's got a big motor, a big heart, and they took that round off him because they had to get through all the fights before the venue shut, which takes away our game plan.”
Quinlan has been training boxers for about 40 years and now works to assist head trainer Kris Burns, who has around three decades of experience.
“Kris is a tactician with the fighters and brings the best out in them,” Quinlan said.
“He's been with me for 30 years and now I just give him a hand with whatever he needs done.
“He runs the show, so he's done a tremendous job with the boys.”
Marek and Burns have bouts on the horizon.
Marek is finalising details for fights in New Zealand, while Burns has been selected to compete at the world titles.
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