BILLY Dower Youth Centre boxer Danny Heyes is on a high after becoming the elite 64-kilogram State Champion at the recent state titles held in Perth.
The State titles brought together the best boxers from around Western Australia to compete in a two-day tournament at the Scarborough Sportsman Club.
Heyes had to win two fights on consecutive days to become the State Champion.
His first bout was against Michael Thompson from Anvils Boxing.
Thompson, a strong, fit and aggressive boxer, started well winning the first round with his superior work rate.
Heyes stepped it up in the second round and then dominated the third round to win the fight by unanimous decision.
The next day Heyes was in the final against the previous 64kg State Champion, Callum Cassidy from Bradriks Boxing Club.
Cassidy, a very experienced and skilful boxer, boxed off the back foot to try and minimise Heyes’ in-close fighting while Heyes used good head movement to pressure his opponent to get the win.
In a close bout Heyes scored a split decision win.
Heyes will now represent WA at the Australian Titles to be held at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle from April 7-12.
If Heyes wins the Australian Title it would give him the opportunity to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
Heyes has been the silver medallist at the last two Australian Titles in the 69kg Division.
This year he is competing at 64kg and hopes the switch to a lower weight division will be the difference between winning silver and gold.
Heyes is seeded number two by Boxing Australia in his division and is in with a genuine chance.
Being a state champion has also earned Heyes a spot in a team that will be travelling to Sri Lanka in May.
The tournament in Sri Lanka will have teams from Malaysia, Mongolia, Indonesia and Singapore competing.
Local Kelly Coull will also be representing WA at the Australian Titles.
Coull won the State Title last year but no opponents nominated this year in her weight division for state titles.
She will be competing in the 48kg division.
Another local Bailey Lindsay won the State Title in the under 19, 64kg division for 2014.
Lindsay‘s state titles were held late last year.
The win put him on a plane to Queensland last December for the Youth Australian Titles.
He put in a good performance before losing to the eventual gold medallist.
