Weetch guns for a win on the road
Jamie Weetch plans to use his first professional fight outside of Perth as a launchpad towards an Australian title fight before the year's out.
Middleweight Weetch has travelled to Gunnedah, in country NSW, to face local Wade Ryan on Saturday in an eight rounder.
"We were invited to come over, it's all paid for and it makes a change rather than seeing the same old faces back home," trainer Justin Lacey said.
"It's a good opprtunity and we thought we'd come over here and get some runs on the board."
Wales-born Weetch (five wins, two losses) is chasing a third win in three months, with his two-round demolition of Darren Allison last month still fresh in the mind.
"Jamie's coming along leaps and bounds and is getting better all the time," Lacey said.
"He goes back to Wales for his mate's wedding after this fight then when he gets back we'll look to build towards an Australian title fight by the end of the year."
Ryan, like Weetch, has won his last three in an 8-2 record. His last loss came in Perth when he was outpointed by Luke Sharp over six in June last year.
The show is being held in memory of Gunnedah boxer Daniel "Bull" Durham, who died last year aged 24 after a long-running battle with depression.
- 2012 London Olympian Cameron Hammond can secure a shot at the Commonwealth welterweight title with victory on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Unbeaten Hammond is one of three Aussie fighters promoted by Ricky Hatton. And while big-punching heavyweight Lucas "Big Daddy" Browne and colourful light-heavy Damien Hooper have captured most of the headlines, Hammond has quietly gone about his business in compiling an 11-0 record.
Hammond defends his WBA Oceania title against Sydney-based Fijian Jese Ravudi having been told it will double up as an eliminator for the Commonwealth belt.
"I've had some time out due to injury but I'm fit and strong and I can't wait to get back in the ring and show the fans what I can do," Hammond said.
"My last two fights have been 10-rounders and they've put me in good stead for this test. Obviously I'd like a knockout, but I won't push it. If it comes, it comes."
Ravudi has threatened an early night for Hammond but the only stoppage he has experienced in a 4-1 return was the one fight he lost.
Hammond-Ravudi takes place on the Xcite Fight "KO Cancer" card in Maroochydore, with two-time Olympian Brad Hore in action, as well as Wales' former European middleweight champion Kerry Hope, who now lives in Brisbane.
