General News
5 May, 2021
Benallack impresses on boxing debut
WILL Benallack’s first bout could not have panned out any better.
WILL Benallack’s first bout could not have panned out any better.
The Cobden boxer, who was on debut against Liam Sturges on Saturday night, recorded the first win of his amateur career at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds.
He won via first round stoppage and was delighted with the result.
“I was a bit nervous. Winning was particularly important to me but I knew that even if I had have lost I still would have learnt as much as if I had have won,” Benallack said.
“Just watching the video a few times over there’s a few things that I could do better which I would have done the same if I had have lost but I guess it’s a bit sweeter to get the win (first up).”
Benallack said his debut performance could have gone better, adding he would be better for the experience.
“Personally I felt a bit sloppy but it was a really good experience to get one out of the way and to get it done in the first round,” he said.
“I just tried to box properly and to the best of my ability.
“With the crowd it was a bit hard to stay composed but it was probably the best way the first one could have gone I guess.”
Benallack’s attested his drop in composure to the fact he had never fought in front of a large audience before, which only added to his nerves.
While the atmosphere unsettled him early, eventually he found his rhythm to land a flurry of punches and earn his maiden victory.
“I was fight number 15 out of 20 and when I got out there everyone was up and about and cheering and doing the oohs and aahs which got the adrenaline pumping,” Benallack said.
“Usually when I’m boxing I’m sparring with only a couple of others there plus your coach and the other persons coach.
“It’s normally pretty low-key so to go out and box in front of a couple of hundred (people) was pretty surreal.”
The Mount Gambier crowd included familiar faces to Benallack, who was joined by multiple Cobden locals for his fight.
“There was couple of car-loads who came to watch me – my uncle, my dad, my brother and a few friends and they were over the moon for me,” he said.
“Their support helped me get over the early nerves which was good and to have them come to watch meant a great deal to me.”
Alongside the support of his family and friends, his coach Rodney Ryan has been central to his boxing ambitions.
Benallack having boxed on and off for the best of part of two years until eight months ago when he started to knuckle down and chase his first fight.
Ryan’s guidance eventually got him to the ring, with Benallack praising his mentor post-fight.
“Rude’s unreal with his knowledge and caringness he shows for you,” he said.
“The way he is in the corner, he’s always calm and always has constructive criticism which helps you and is only going to make you better.
“I couldn’t ask for a better coach really.”
With his first fight now out of the way, the 21 year-old is aiming to add a couple more bouts to his record before the end of 2021.
“I’m pretty hooked at the moment,” Benallack said.
“There’s an event in Perth later in the year that I’m keen to get to but I’d definitely like to get a second fight under my belt in Victoria before heading over for that.
“I’m hoping to get the second one here and then the third one over there but its early times at the moment.
“It will work itself out throughout the year, I guess.”