ORANGE boxing legend Glen Sutherland says Sam Ah-See’s inclusion in the Orange Sporting Hall of Fame is a wonderful achievement for the sort of boxer the city may never see again.

Following his welterweight bout win against Arnel Tinampay on Friday night, Ah-See was honoured as the eighth boxer inducted into the sporting hall of fame at the annual Orange Sports Awards on Monday night.

Sutherland, the last boxer inducted, says Ah-See’s inclusion is a sign of the 24-year-old’s unique sporting prowess.

“It’s a big thing to have this kind of boxer out of Orange,” Sutherland, a former Australian Super Lightweight title holder, said.

“The road he’s taken to be where he is today, it’s long and it’s hard. 

“Are we going to see it again? It’s been 20 or 22 years since the last boxer was inducted into the hall of fame. I don’t know if we will.”

Sutherland said he was thrilled to see Ah-See join such an elite group of Orange boxers.

“It’s great for Sam. It’ll be a big boost for him,” he added.

“Sam’s first fight was against one of my fighters, Matty Elliot, when he was 14 or so, and that was a path-changing experience for Sam. He’s come a long way.”

VIDEO: Sam Ah-See's reaction after Monday night's induction:

As Sutherland said, the champion southpaw started his amateur career at a young age with trainer Jake Kenney at Mobsport, going on to win a throng of state titles before earning national selection at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India in 2008 as well as representing Australia at the World Junior Championships in Mexico.

A former Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder and an AIS Sportsperson of the Year winner in 2009, Ah-See won medals fighting for Australia at the Arafura Games (silver) and Kings Cup (silver).

Ah-See boasts a 13-0-1 record since turning professional in 2010, and is a former Australian National Boxing Federation super-welterweight champion

“I’m really hoping he brings another title fight back to Orange,” Sutherland said.

“He’s got all of the tools; he’s a southpaw, his mind set is good. I’ve had numerous conversations with him and his mind is in a good place. 

“And he’s got youth on his side.”

Sutherland was on hand for Ah-See’s Tinampay bout last Friday night at the Orange Function Centre, and said the improvement in his game since he last fought the Filipino brawler - in Dubbo in 2013 - was stark.

“I thought it was a hard fight for Sam,” he said.

“I can see how far Sam has improved. 

“I think he’s a better fighter in the division he’s in now.”