Sparring with a welterweight champion Rugby grounds transformed for Pasifka celebration

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 fght on December 2, which one of their cohort, Sunny McLean of Woodburn, will be fghting in.

“(The visit) gave all our fghters 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

By Gary Nichols

The Grafton Redmen rugby felds were transformed into a sea of colour on Saturday as Pacifc Island groups celebrated their rich culture for Pasifka Picnic Day.

The Grafton Redmen have forged a strong bond with the Pacifc island workers in the Grafton area from Fiji. It was a day for celebration which included a traditional Kava Ceremony, dancing, music and food.

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.

Member for Clarence Richie Williamson was on hand to extend a warm welcome and added that our Pacifc 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.