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Goodwill flows as boxing promoter faces own fight

Ty Colman, left, with boxer Daniel Dawson. Pic: Lincoln Baker/WA News

Award-winning boxing promoter Ty Colman has been moved by the number of goodwill messages he has received after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The 26-year-old, one half of Perth’s thriving CDL Promotions, is undergoing a six-week chemotherapy course.

“This wasn’t something I was going to go public about but I’m very glad I did, it’s given me a lot of hope and support being flicked the odd good luck message and people talking to me,” Colman said.

“The support I’ve got from my friends and family and from the boxing community is something I cherish. Nearly all of the boxing promoters in Australia have called me and wished me good luck.”

Colman discovered a lump just before he headed to Macau to watch Manny Pacquaio’s victory over Brandon Rios on November 23.

“I had the surgery four days after I got back and had the lump removed from my groin,” he said.

“Then after the biopsy they found 20 per cent of the lump was vicious. They believe they got it all but recommended I do a six-week chemotherapy course.”

A few days after surgery Colman was back working at his December 7 show, headlined by the Dennis Hogan-Robbie Bryant Australian middleweight title fight.

“I think I was three days out of surgery when I did the show. I was moving around with stitches, so it was an interesting little venture for me. But both the commission and my staff were great,” he said.

Colman said he was planning for CDL’s next two shows, in March and June 2014.

“Everyone appreciates the disease a lot more, so we’ll probably look to do some fundraisers (for cancer charities) within our shows,” he said.

“It’s definitely been an interesting little journey. You cherish the time you’ve got. But it’s all about a positive mind.

“Life throws challenges at you but we’ll be victorious in this battle.”

Colman and CDL Promotions partner Dave Letizia were named 2012 promoters of the year by the Pan-Asian Boxing Association, the regional body of the World Boxing Association.