Fresh start sees Hosking turn round career
Three years after retiring from boxing, Clint Hosking can put himself in the frame for some big fights with victory at the WA Italian Club tonight.
The unbeaten Tapping lightweight will move into the World Boxing Council top 15 if he secures a 10th straight win against Indonesian Roy Tua Manihuruk.
BRYANT HOPES IT'S THIRD TIME LUCKY
It’s a far cry from 2011, when domestic pressures and a failing body convinced Hosking to hang up the gloves.
“I’d just had enough,” he said. “It was a combination of a lot of things – I was getting injured too much, and fighting at featherweight I was putting my body through too much. I had just had a baby, we wanted to buy a house and I had no work, I just didn’t see a way I could carry on boxing.”
But after two years away he returned refreshed and ready to give it another go. Now the 2008 national amateur champion challenges for the regional WBC Eurasia Pacific title and a potential rocket in the ratings.
“I wouldn’t be here now (boxing) if I didn’t retire, it was definitely one of the better things I’ve done,” he said.
“Now I’m the fittest I’ve been, training with Adam Wills in Wangara. I’m also working as a fitter one week on, one week off, so I don’t have to worry about money. And the training facilities at work are better than at many gyms in Perth."
Should he kick on with his career, Hosking wouldn't be the first West Australian fighter to flourish after a brief retirement. Former world champion Danny Green notably had a year away before enjoying a successful return.
Hosking was a part of Green's short-lived "Next Generation" project, along with the likes of heavyweight Lucas Browne and super-featherweight Matt Garlett. The idea was to help build up a local talent pool, but the idea never went further than one show at the WA Basketball Centre in April 2011.
"It was a shame, I don’t know why that didn’t take off," Hosking said, who didn't fight again for another 28 months.
Now with his body mended and his home life secure, things couldn't be more different.
“Boxing’s just a hobby, a very serious hobby but still a hobby. Before now I’ve not made any money out of it," the 32-year-old said.
“But it all changes if I win on Saturday. A win puts me in the top 15 in the world, which I still can’t get my head around. From there it gets really serious. Every fight suddenly means something.”
The bout is one of seven on CDL Boxing’s Western Alliance 13 show.
Middleweight Robbie Bryant is set for a war with Brisbane’s Dean Mikelj in what will be the West Australian’s first fight since his unsuccessful Australian title challenge last December.
And former women’s world champion Erin McGowan can set up another title charge with victory over Thai lightweight Keanpetch Superchamps.
Light-heavyweight Riccardo Monteleone, 47, takes on local Muay Thai fighter Rob Powdrill, while welterweight Albert Howell returns in a six-rounder following shoulder surgery.
And Jamie Weetch takes on David Galvin in what could be an entertaining affair, also over six.
