Matt Rose can remember putting together a card for just a few hundred boxing fans at the Dubbo RSL not too long ago, and even he finds it hard to believe how far he's come since that night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Since that event in 2013 Rose's No Limit Management has quickly become one of the very best in the country and has put together the card for Friday's bumper night of bouts at the International Convention Centre.
The main event that night features one of the country's most exciting prospects in Tim Tszyu, the son of Australian great Kostya Tszyu, taking on Jack Brubaker in a super welterweight bout.
"It's unbelievable, to be honest," Rose said.
"When me and my brothers first started the first event was at the Dubbo RSL. We had a title fight with Sam Ah-See and Lauryn Eagle was there too.
"It's crazy that in four fights we had a Fox Sports contract. We went from Dubbo, to Orange twice, then Redfern, and then the Horton Pavilion. It's only been Main Event shows since.
"We've gone from 500 at the Dubbo RSL to more than five or six thousand at the Sydney International Convention Centre."
As someone who has strong ties to the region - he's represented the Walgett Aboriginal Connection in multiple Koori Knockouts and played for multiple Group 10 Rugby League clubs and won a title with Orange CYMS - the night at Dubbo and that starting point is something which means a lot to Rose and his brothers.
Not only because of the local connection, but also because Rose rated Orange pugilist Sam Ah-See as one of the best prospects he'd seen, something he stands by to this day.
Ah-See won that night in Dubbo and became a national champion but shocked the boxing community when he announced his retirement due to financial struggles and disillusionment with the sport.
While saddened by that news at the time, Rose's own career has only gone upwards.
Friday night's event is one he is looking forward to the most.
The main bout is gaining most of the attention, but a fight between a couple of prominent former NRL players is also creating plenty of headlines.
"Tim (Tszyu) continues to be a superstar and he's got a showdown with the most entertaining boxer in Australia so that main event is going to be incredible," Rose said.
"We've also got Darcy Lussick against Justin Hodges. All the footy fans can't wait for that one and it's going to be really interesting to see how it goes."
WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS AND SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ..
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
