It’s fair to say Danny Heyes has picked up a few bumps and bruises in his time in the ring, but the Mandurah-based boxer celebrated a proud moment when he fought his 100th fight over the weekend.
Unfortunately, the three-round result didn’t go his way, but the nine-year veteran said it was an achievement he would remember.
“Going into the fight I think I was just focused on doing what I needed to do to win,” he said.
“Unfortunately I didn’t get the result, but afterwards it was kind of a nice moment to sit back and appreciate.
“Now I need to aim for 150.”
Heyes started his boxing career under coach John Florenca at the Billy Dower Youth Centre in 2008.
Over his time the light welterweight has picked up a pair of wins in Golden Glove competitions and boxed at several levels.
But Heyes said boxing had helped him most outside of the ring, particularly in his family life.
“Since I started boxing I also started working as a personal trainer, and it allows me to spend a lot of time with my wife and daughter,” he said.
“I mean, they’re my whole world so it’s really great to be able to do something you love and spend time with the people you love.
“The people at the gym are great too. It’s a great place to start getting fit and get into boxing.”
Heyes is now in preparation for a trip to South Australia this weekend, where he will fight for WA in an elimination tournament to be selected in the Australian side.
If selected, he will travel to Germany later in the year to represent the nation.
He will be joined in South Australia by fellow Billy Dower boxer Harry Suter, who will fight in the youth bracket for a spot in the youth Commonwealth Games.
Suter is coming off a win against Mac Turner which saw him claim the under 19s 64-kilogram state championship title and is eager to compete in the games in Barbados.
“It’s pretty exciting. I just need to go into South Australia focused on the fights,” he said.
“Hopefully I can put on a good show over there.”
Another recent champion to come out of the Mandurah Boxing Club is Bryce Savell, who became the 2017 WA novice super heavyweight champion earlier this month.
Savell won his way to the gold medal bout and a won by a walkover after his opponent was forced out by injury.
He will now resume training and searching for his next bout.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
