The Northern Rivers Times
November 30, 2023
10 NEWS
Sparring with a welterweight champion
Joely boy Taylor is second from right, Scott Smith, owner of Maddog Boxing, extreme right
By Samantha Elley The young boxers at Maddog Boxing Gym had an worthwhile visit from Australian Welterweight professional boxing champion, Joely Boy Taylor just recently. “He is from Melbourne and he came up to stay with us at the Maddog gym,” said Maddog owner, Scott Smith. “He has defended his title once and has another defence match on March 23 on the Gold Coast.” Meanwhile, Scott said Taylor had driven all the way from Melbourne to help prepare their boys for the Featherweight Title fight on December 2, which one of their cohort, Sunny McLean of Woodburn, will be fighting in. “(The visit) gave all our fighters the opportunity to step in the ring with a current real champion,” said Scott.
“It’s an honour to have him here. “He trains out of the world famous Shadows Boxing Gym in Eltham,
Scott has been working for Breese and Taylor for eight years and was very pleased that the champion
JB Taylor in the middle
JB Taylor sparring in the ring.
Melbourne and is coached by pro boxing coach, Rick Breese, who is originally from Lennox Head and now owns the gym in Melbourne.”
boxer could help him in his own gym. “He drove for two days then jumped out of his car and straight into sparring everyone at Maddog,” said Scott.
Rugby grounds transformed for Pasifika celebration
The tradition of the kava ceremony brought out the best in the participants at the Grafton island communities Pasifika Picnic on Saturday. Photo: Gary Nichols
By Gary Nichols The Grafton Redmen rugby fields were transformed into a sea of colour on Saturday as Pacific Island groups celebrated their rich culture for Pasifika Picnic Day. The Grafton Redmen have forged a strong bond with the Pacific island workers in the Grafton area from Fiji. It was a day for celebration which included a traditional Kava Ceremony, dancing, music and food. Member for Clarence Richie Williamson was on hand to extend a warm welcome and added that our Pacific Island visitors were very much a part of the Clarence Valley community. On a tight schedule, Richie, who had another engagement in Dorrigo later in the day, managed to down a traditional bowl of Kava as did our club secretary Cameron White.
Member for Clarence downs a bowl of traditional island brew during a kava ceremony at the Grafton Rugby Club grounds on Saturday. Photo: Gary Nichols
Traditional dancing was one of the highlights of the Pasifika Picnic at the Grafton Rugby Grounds on Saturday Photo: Gary Nichols.
Grafton’s islander community took the opportunity of the Pasifika Picnic on Saturday to showcase their traditional dancing skills, which in this case took in some audience participation. Photo: Gary Nichols.
www.richiewilliamson.com.au Stay up to date, get in touch. clarence@parliament.nsw.gov.au Tel: 6643 1244
Richie Williamson MP
Authorised by Richie Williamson. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.
