Blake Charlton in action during a bout earlier this year.
Blake Charlton’s dream to go professional in boxing is one step closer following his efforts this year.
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On the back of his most recent fight, Charlton has been selected to represent Victoria in the Australian Titles this December.
To be held in Melbourne, the titles will be hosted by the Australian Boxing League.
The 22 year-old competes in the 71kg weight class.
He’s been boxing for 10 years but is now ready to take the sport to the next level.
“I first started boxing when I was about 12.
“I went along to the Golden Rivers Boxing Club in Deniliquin for fitness in the footy off-season.
“I had my first fight when I was about 14, and I was still playing footy all the way through.
“My first three fights were losses, but then I had a win.
“All these fights were over a few years, and then of course all bouts stopped during COVID-19.”
Blake Charlton (right) with professional Australian boxer Sam 'King' Soliman.
With boxing emerging as his primary passion, Charlton has decided not to take to the field as a valuable member of the Blighty Football Club in 2023.
Instead, he intends to start the process of going pro.
“As an amateur, my bouts last for up to four rounds.
“A pro will fight for six to 12 rounds, and there will be a lot more travel involved, potentially internationally.
“I will have to give up the footy to focus on my boxing now, because I don’t want to get injured.”
Charlton already trains five days a week to be match fit for his bouts.
His routine consists of morning runs and about 90 minutes of training in the boxing gym after work.
It is all about honing fitness and technique, which Charlton said will be “never ending”.
“The aim is to always progress and always improve,” he said.
Charlton’s head trainer, Scott Maskell from Cobram’s The Fighters Academy, said he can see Charlton succeeding in the pros if he continues to show the same dedication to the sport as he does now.
“When Blake first came to us he was a bit flat footed, but he’s up on his toes a bit more and actually fighting,” Maskell said.
“He also hits a lot harder now.
“I think he is more suited to pros than amateur boxing, because it is a different pace in the pros.
“It will take a lot more work, but I think he could go far.”
Blake Charlton in action during a bout earlier this year.
With the return of boxing post-COVID in 2022, Charlton has already completed three bouts.
His first was as a member of the Golden Rivers Boxing Club, before transferring to The Fighters Academy.
Charlton was selected for the Victorian team based on his performance at the recent Regional Victorian Titles, despite losing his fight.
“My competitor scored a standard eight technical knockdown (against me) and then the bells rang,” Charlton said.
“But I only just lost.
“He was starting to get rattled, and if they had not shortened the rounds I feel I would have won.
“Going into the fight I was told we would have two minute rounds, but when the bells rang it had only been one minute and 30 seconds.”
Charlton is expected to compete at the Australian Titles on December 1 and 2 at the Melbourne Pavilion.
The schedule of fights will be determined by the number of registered competitors.
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