Olympic prospect Max Cuthel with trainer Robbie Sbeghen after a recent Sunshine Coast title victory.
Max Cuthel enjoying last year’s national title success. Photo: DAVID LEMS
Golden Gloves winner Ariki Cliffe. Photo: DAVID LEMS
TWO highly regarded Rebels Boxing Club fighters will gain more experience at a tournament in Ipswich before continuing their work in the 2032 Queensland Futures Squad.
Max Cuthel and Ariki Cliffe joined other promising boxers at a training camp earlier this year having been identified as future Australian team prospects.
Max and Ariki started receiving higher level training with elite coaches like former professional boxer and 2004 Olympian Jamie Pittman.
Walloon-based Rebels Boxing Club trainer Robbie Sbeghen has worked with Pittman before and knows the value the national coach offers in helping his rising stars.
Robbie said having Max and Ariki involved in the Futures Squad, linked to the Australian Institute of Sport, gave them a boost in their boxing development.
Before their next Futures Squad camp, Max and Ariki will represent the Rebels club at the Ipswich Championships on June 14.
The Ipswich tournament, run the last three years, is being organised by Robbie’s club.
The event has 40 fights from 32kg to the heavyweight division at the Ipswich Showgrounds.
Robbie expects fighters from Townsville and interstate to challenge the Ipswich regional contenders.
Max prepares for his latest fight after winning a 42kg Sunshine Coast belt earlier this year. He beat last year’s Australian champion in that division.
That came after Max last year became Queensland and Australian Schoolboys 38kg champion for the first time.
“He’s progressing well,” Robbie said of the teenager to watch in the ring.
Max, 15, has been doing extra work on hand pads in the morning and at his Walloon home with his father Brett.
He won last year’s national title in Perth.
Ariki, 18, has been working as a barber and his training in readiness for more fight opportunities.
Ariki is a former Australian Golden Gloves title winner in the junior heavyweight division.
Ariki started in Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai and jujitsu before focusing on boxing with Robbie at his Walloon training base.
Robbie is currently working with a group of 10 boxers at different stages of training in preparation for future fights in places like Emerald and Bundaberg.
