READY: Orange PCYC's Josh Nagle, pictured left with coach Ricky Fieldus, will line up in the Golden Gloves today. Photo: MICHELLE COOK 0829mcbox2
ORANGE’S Josh Nagle will face one of his biggest tests to date today.
The Orange PCYC boxer will glove up for the Golden Gloves in Brisbane.
The annual tournament brings together the best boxers from NSW and Queensland in each weight division.
The Golden Gloves is a knockout format so if Nagle takes out the junior 63kg division, we will have gone through the tournament undefeated.
Orange PCYC coach Ricky Fieldus said the competition was tough.
“The who’s who of boxing will be there,” Fieldus said.
“It’s the best fighter on the week wins. There’s no excuses. There will be a lot of boys there.”
Nagle had been unbeaten in five bouts before he loss a tight decision to NSW champion Anthony Falabella in July.
Since then the 16-year-old has changed his style.
“We’ve stripped him back to basics,” Fieldus explained.
“We were headed down the wrong path there for a while. We wanted to fight to his stature rather than to his ability.
“So now we’re working around the way he wants to fight. We’re using his strength and hit fitness. He’s going to come out a lot more aggressive.
“Instead of adjusting to their style, we want them to adjust to our style.”
Nagle said he was looking forward to stepping into the ring.
“I can’t wait,” he smiled.
“This is my first big tournament.”
He also said he’d love to take on Falabella again.
Competitors weigh in between 7 and 9am today, after which the draws will be done.
Nagle will have his first bout this afternoon and should he win he’ll be back in the ring tomorrow.
The Golden Gloves finishes on Sunday.
