WHEN diminutive Rosewood State High School student Max Cuthel took up boxing for fitness, little did he expect to become a national champion.
However, Max surprised himself when he achieved that feat in Perth recently after earlier becoming the Queensland Schoolboys titleholder for the first time.
Aged 14, he may even be a future contender for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.
Max won the latest Australian Schoolboys 38kg final by beating Victorian representative Charlie Verdad 4-1 over three rounds.
He said he was glad he joined the Walloon-based Rebels Boxing Club, working with experienced trainer Robbie Sbeghen.
“It’s been really good,” Max said.
“I’ve been working really hard in the gym with all the help from Rob, my coach.”
The orthodox boxer trains four days a week and goes for 5km runs every morning.
Max, who lives at Walloon, started at Rebels Boxing Club, 18 months ago.
“I was going to originally do it for fitness but now I just started fighting,” Max said.
“I found I was really good at it.”
While surprised to win his first national title, Max felt he was getting better in the lead-up to the national tournament.
“Robbie has brought me up,” Max said.
“I didn’t know anything about boxing before that.
“He’s taught me everything and helped me build my fitness … showed me what to do to help my fitness.”
Travelling to Perth with Max, Robbie was proud of his young boxer’s achievement in a Queensland team of 49 boxers who combined to win 26 gold and nine silver medals in Perth.
“It was a very good experience being with the [Queensland] team and everything,” Max said.
“Seeing how good I am compared to them. When I got there, a lot of people [in other divisions] were better than me.
“I see them and I take things off them that I can use.”
Robbie said Max’s main improvement has been in his skipping, moving and his style.
“His footwork is absolutely brilliant,” the club owner, manager and trainer said.
“It has put Rebels back on the map with Australian boxing, which is great.”
Max has been selected into the Futures squad looking towards the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
While he ponders an Olympic dream, Max remains focused on the benefits of boxing.
“It gives you skills, to defend yourself and teaches loyalty,” he said.
Away from boxing, Max likes HPE and English at school.
Max’s next mission is the Golden Gloves tournament in Brisbane next month, which will include opponents from New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Rebels club fighters have regularly shared in winning honours at the annual tournament.
Buoyed by his latest success, Max hopes to join the Walloon club’s past victors.
