Boxing talent Bobby Backman scored a knockout and the ‘best fighter of the night’ award at his most recent bout against a much older opponent. Backman is stalking his opponent into a defensive position.By Glen Atwell
TALENTED boxer Bobby Backman is floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee – just ask his opponents.
Last week, the 19yearold from Pakenham won the Silver Gloves Championship heavyweight division at the Reggio Calabria Club in Brunswick, with a devastating knockout in the third round.
After spending most of the first round on the backfoot, Backman took the fight to his opponent, Rob McCovskie, in the second round.
Backman fired in a lighting left hook that caught his much larger Collingwood opponent offguard and sent him crashing to the canvas.
Backman is forced to fight opponents much older than he is, McCovskie was 23.
But Backman said fighting older boxers does not worry him.
“The weight division is between 81 and 90 kilograms, so it can be hard to find a boxer my age.
“But I don’t mind, fighting older opponents now only enhances my experience in the ring.
“When I finally do compete against boxers my age, I’d like to think I would have an advantage now,” Backman said.
A knockout in amateur boxing is a rarity, and Backman’s recent KO result is a testament to his dedication to the sport.
Since taking up the sport when he was 17, Backman said his body has developed considerably and he was now able to mix it with senior opponents.
So impressive was his win, Backman was awarded the best fighter of the night trophy, given to the most impressive boxing display on the card.
Backman said his boxing career requires plenty of travelling, but a win makes it worthwhile.
“My last fight before the win in Brunswick was in Ballarat, that was a decent hike.
“But when you come away with a win, you forgot about that,” Backman said.
Backman trains every night in his backyard shed, but this is no ordinary toolshed, but decked out with top class gym equipment.
“It’s got bags, speedballs, all the weights and an area to skip,” Backman said.
But he admits the going can get tough during the cold winter months.
“It is hard to get out there when it’s freezing, but there is no choice,” he said.
Training up to two hours a night, Backman concentrates on a different physical aspect every night.
The third year electrical apprentice works for JRB Electrics in Pakenham and said he is looking forward to his next fight, and what lies ahead in his boxing career.
“It can be hard to find fights, but hopefully there will be another at the end of October.
“At the moment, I am training hard and hope to keep progressing, and winning of course,” Backman said.
