PCYC boxer Eric Kyanga returns home with Australian Club Championship title around his waist
The PCYC boxer flew home from South Australia with a title belt around his waist after beating his opponent in the final after the very first round.
The 20-year-old fought arguably the best fighter in WA in the semifinal, to whom he lost by decision. With the tournament looking as though it had wrapped up for Kyanga, luck prevailed, with his semifinal opponent pulling out of the final.
The tournament organisers let Kyanga fight in the final, with the Geraldton resident jumping at the opportunity to have a crack at bringing home the Australian Club Championships title.
Kyanga excelled in the final, dominating the first round of the bout, with the fight coming to an end after the first round as Kyanga's hand was raised.
Kyanga's coach at PCYC, Jake Peacock, said he was immensely proud of the efforts put forward by his young fighter.
'Look, I am very proud of him to do what he did,' he said.
'To bounce back from a tough loss in the semi to then jump at the chance to fight in the final and do as well as he did was unreal.
'He showed a lot of character to stand up and do what he did.'
Peacock said the ever-improving Kyanga continued to impress and shine in the ring at training, and at bouts across Australia.
'He (Kyanga) is a star. He is always looking on how to improve,' Peacock said.
'Like I say, that's just a big improvement, because Eric fought that guy probably four to six weeks earlier, and Eric won a split decision, which is close, but Eric just totally dominated this time and came away with the title.'
Kyanga travelled to the Institute of Sport in Canberra last year and was able to train with some world-class athletes in boxing — among them Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Olympian Callum Peters.
Peters and Kyanga hit it off, with Peters becoming a mentor to Kyanga. On that weekend in South Australia, Peters was in attendance as Kyanga's hand was raised.
Peacock said Peters had been a massive influence on Kyanga's boxing career and it was a nice moment to see the two together with their titles.
'It was cool to see him there to see Eric after his fight,' Peacock said.
'Callum has been huge for Eric, and proved that in South Australia.
'It all went right for Eric and all played out nicely when he was given the chance to fight in the final.
'They say in boxing you need three things: hard work, talent, and a bit of luck along the way.'
Kyanga now prepares to fight in Perth on Saturday, June 14 at Boxing WA's 5RD Pound 4 Pound Champions Show.
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