Sport
23 June, 2024
The Pride of Pittsworth executes stunning TKO to maintain title
Stoneleigh put on a show for his hometown on Friday night, delivering a third round technical knockout (TKO) to Indian boxer Suresh Kumar, to defend his WBC Australasian title.
After fighting to win belts in his last two bouts, Stoneleigh faced a different challenge this time round, defending the belt that he won late last year.
Stoneleigh’s game plan was to be patient, and take his time through the early stages of the fight, setting up his attack.
“Towards the second round I started to land a lot of clean shots on him, and in the third, he was just getting hit too much,” Stoneleigh said.
Manager Brandon Smith said the training camp in the lead up to Stoneleigh’s fight was difficult with his coach, Bradley Smith, being unwell.
“It wasn’t the easiest run with a lot of changes in where and when he would be training,” Smith said.
“He had a very tough opponent with an incredible amateur and pro record - three time national champion in India.
“He certainly did himself, Pittsworth, and everyone around him proud,” Smith said.
Despite fears he might miss the event, Bradley was able to attend.
He was with Stoneleigh in the dressing rooms, and was ringside during the fight.
“How good was it! It was beautiful,” Bradley said about Stoneleigh’s winning performance.
The 22 year old has 14 wins with no losses - an achievement that has him ranked as Australia’s number one professional welterweight boxer.
Stoneleigh is currently concentrating on finishing his trade apprenticeship at TAFE before looking ahead to bigger, better things.
He’s come a long way since his first pro fight back in 2019, climbing the ladder of success to remain undefeated - something Stoneleigh never thought he would achieve.
“Never even thought I’d go pro, nor to this point where I am now,” he said.
