By Callum Ludwig
Healesville boxer Chris Hume set out for redemption in the Masters Boxing state title this year.
Hume spent eight months training and running to improve his fitness ready for his second crack having lost to James Stewart on a split decision last year.
Hume said he had to go back to the drawing board after last year’s loss.
“I started training extra hard, working on my fitness and cardio, and continued my training right up until the first of April. In between that training, I also had another belt, which was a bit of a stepping stone to get up to where I needed to get against another fellow within the Masters Boxing ranking,” he said.
“Going into the fight on the first of April, I was feeling really fit, healthy and strong, I went in there and lasted the four rounds and took home the belt on a points win.”
Masters Boxing in Victoria is the category for boxers over 34 years of age, with competitions for varying weight ranges. Fighters must be within a ten-year age range of one another.
Hume said it was a surreal feeling when the decision was called out.
“The referees got our arms and the ringmaster is calling out the draw cards and called mine, It took a moment to sink in but the celebrations went on from there,” he said.
“The cornerman and myself all embraced each other, and I went and thanked my partner that I fought and his team, it was a good feeling to bring this back to Healesville, all my supporters from town, my friends and family were fantastic.”
Hume defeated his opponent Michael Bulger in four two-minute rounds at the South Eastern Entertainment Centre in Ferntree Gully.
Hume said he had to go check out Bulger in training as he takes a Southpaw stance, something he hadn’t fought before.
“It was very difficult to get in there and do what I had to do because he had a totally different stance to what I’m used to fighting, fighting a Southpaw for the very first time in the ring was a learning experience,” he said.
“I picked him off with my left and looked for those perfect opportunities and stayed away from his paw.”
The Southpaw stance is where a boxer leads with both their right hand and foot forward when fighting, and is the usual stance for a left-hander. It makes it particularly difficult for right-handed boxers who can feel unbalanced or put off by having to fight and defend against a mirror image of what they are used to.
Hume’s next aim is to take part in a qualification bout to qualify for the Masters Boxing National title.
He also wished to thank his local sponsors: Healesville Fitness Center, Sanctuary Stove Bakehouse, Sammy’s Charcoal Chicken, Sanctuary Park Pizza, Yarra Valley Quality Meats and the Healesville Gift Shop.
