Karratha boxing showcase packs a big punch

Fists flew when the North West’s best boxers faced off at Karratha’s first boxing showcase in years on Saturday.

The Karratha Fight Night drew about 400 people to the Leisureplex to see eight bouts at a major event organised by the local Raiders Boxing Club.

The indoor basketball courts were transformed into a boxing stadium for the night, which featured competitors from Wickham, Port Hedland, Newman, Broome and Derby.

In a popular finale, the night’s main event, the 77kg light heavyweight bout, was won by Karratha man Danny Watson, who defeated Reynaldo Rakei of Perth in two rounds.

Watson, who started boxing less than six months ago, said he was proud of winning his first fight, as well as a key match for the home club.

“Because we knew I was taller, we were planning on me just staying on the back foot, using my jab, but when I got in there that just went out the window — I just wanted to brawl,” he said.

“It’s a huge moment, I’m buzzing. It’s something I can always look back on and tell my kids that I did, so I’m really proud.”

Victoria Phillips, aged 17, also competed for the Raiders.

The fight night was the seventh the Raiders have held, but their first since 2015.

Raiders Boxing Club coach Shane McDonald said the hiatus had been sparked by job losses at the end of the mining construction boom, but the club had since re-grouped.

He said he was pleased with the quality of fights on show and the turnout at the event.

“Boxing is quite a primal sport where people compete one-on-one, and people just love to watch it,” he said.

“It’s such a hard sport ... and it’s only about whoever is there and if they have what it takes to win.”

He said the club would aim to hold the event about once a year.