It took one of the hardest hits he’d ever sustained to keep Mandurah boxer Kiron Brown from hoisting the state novice championship belt over the weekend.
The up and comer took to the ring for the final of the WA novice tournament on Saturday night, describing his bout against Jakov Ostojic as one of the toughest he has fought in his young career.
After an inseparable first round, Brown looked to be gaining an edge in the fight before taking a walloping hit and tumbling to the rope just seconds before the bell.
The judges ruled the last-second punch the definitive factor in the fight, awarding Ostojic the win on points.
“That hit was one of the toughest I’ve ever taken,” Brown said.
“The first round was tight and that continued for the entire fight, but unfortunately I just got whacked at the very last second and that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
“I’ll continue to work on my strategy in the ring and move forward.”
Brown was named the victor in a pair of bouts leading up to the final a fortnight ago, which is invaluable experience for a young fighter.
“The first heat was tough. I think it was my opponent’s first fight and he just kept coming at me,” he said.
“I managed to smack him in the stomach which I thought would keep him down but he was determined to keep coming at me.”
The Eureka Boxing gym trainee eventually had his arm raised as the winner on points.
In heat number two, he lost the judges’ decision, but the result was overturned after it was found his opponent had failed to make the correct weight.
Brown, who has now moved up from novice fighting to intermediate, said he will take the experience in his stride.
“I’d never fought in a tournament like this before, so to reach the final is pretty encouraging,” he said.
“I’m not really sure what is on the calendar in the new year but we’ll continue to find some fights and hopefully move up to the elite bracket in due time.”
Brown’s coach, Brian Satori, praised his pupil for showing determination and a strong mindset throughout the tournament.
“All three of Kiron’s fights were extremely close calls – he put his best foot forward in all of them,” he said.
“Unfortunately the call just didn’t go his way in the end, but he can be proud of the way he fought and he’ll continue to improve on it.”
For more information on Eureka Boxing or to join the gym call Brian Satori on 0413 146 860.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
