The main event on an 18-bout card, Littlefield defeated defending champion Toby Krebes in a four-round fight.

Battling through the first round before coming out on top in rounds two, three and four, Littlefield said last Saturday night’s win was easily the toughest bout he’d fought in a burgeoning 12-fight amateur career.

“It was the toughest fight I’ve been in,” the 16-year-old said, with Krebes, 18, making Littlefield work for the win.

“I was more excited. It was tough to fight an older opponent, he’s strong ... it was the first time I’ve fought a shorter opponent as well.”

Faced with a fighter who trains alongside Joe Williams in Wagga Wagga, Littlefield not only had to take on Krebes but a vocal Riverina crowd.

That support lifted Krebes throughout a strong opening round, with the stocky 18-year-old landing a number of impressive overhead rights and hooks to the head of his opponent, with the judges rewarding the defending champion with the round. 

From there, though, Littlefield rose to the challenge.

Beginning to perfect his defence, Littlefield’s pressure boxing wore down his highly-touted opponent to the point all three remaining rounds fell his way.

The James Sheahan Catholic High School student said following a difficult round one, a return to the basics ensured a more polished performance in the ring.

“I’m a pressure fighter, I just try and stick to that,” he said.

“Stay in close, follow him, try and get him on the back foot. I’m coming forward most of the time, without trying to get hit.”

With the ultimate goal of becoming an “Australian champ”, Littlefield’s hoping he can take another step in that direction in the near future.

He’ll look to defend his Riverina belt before embarking on his next challenge.

“Hopefully it’s a state title next,” he said, happy with the rewards on offer in his chosen sport.

“What you put in you get out of boxing; the achievements. You can see the hard work pay off.”