Boxing in Gunnedah is thriving with Wade (The Boogeyman) Ryan preparing for his International Boxing Organisation world title eliminator with Dennis Hogan in Brisbane on March 2.
Ryan’s fiancé, Enja Prest, is also gearing up for her own fight on Gunnedah’s Bad Intentions 7 at the Town Hall on Saturday, March 19. Fellow stablemate, Albert Nolan will feature as well. He will be looking to maintain his unbeaten start to his professional career and progressing to a record of 3-0.
With fight dates booked, preparation is the biggest key to success. While Ryan, Prest and Nolan are regularly seen travelling to Sydney for sparring sessions, it was Gunnedah’s turn to welcome some of Sydney’s best boxers to the Black N Blue gym.
Huss El-Achrafi is a long-time friend and business partner of Gunnedah’s lead boxing trainer, David (Spike) Syphers and the pair will be together once again in a co-promotion for Bad Intentions 7.
El-Achrafi is also the owner and head trainer at the Final Round Gym in Sydney which is home to some of Australia’s best rugby league athletes and boxers, including Manly forward Josh Aloiai, former West Tigers’ centre Joey Leilua and many others.
When arriving in Gunnedah, El-Achrafi was joined by lightweight boxer, Alex Lual, Silas Roberto and Nasir Adam who each joined Ryan and Nolan in the ring for rounds of sparring.
Each boxer is preparing for their own bouts with Roberto and Adam booked to appear in Gunnedah next month.
With sessions on both the Saturday and Sunday, it was a sight to behold with plenty of action throughout the weekend.
Meanwhile, Prest was joined by Jessica Adams, who recently fought for the Australian National Boxing Federation super-featherweight title with the bout ending in a draw.
Gunnedah’s Lucy Lane and Mace Eveleigh also made appearances at the weekend as they prepare for amateur bouts in Gunnedah.
