EG Weekend edition 17

20 WEEKEND SPORT DAMIEN DONOHUE: It's great to catch up with Max Reeves in the final days of his preparation for his first defence of his Australian super middleweight title defence which he won in September in Melbourne. Looking forward to getting back into the ring on Saturday night at the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex Maxy? MAX REEVES: Yes, can't wait, fit and raring to go. DD: How's the preparation been? MR: Excellent, I went to Thailand for a training camp and have been banking plenty of quality rounds sparring in Sydney, Melbourne and locally. DD: Who have you been sparring? MR : Lucas Miller and Joe Camilleri have kept me busy, both quality boxers. DD: Joe Camilleri, he runs the Tzuyu gym in Sydney. MR: Did some great rounds with him, he's DD: Does the sparring ever get serious? MR: It really depends who you're working with, but if you working with boys that are better than you, you need to put it on them and show that you're not a push over. Some boxers get in and have a crack while others are working on their craft. DD: Do you wear headgear in the sessions? MR: Yep and 16 ounce gloves. DD: Whats the difference in gloves compared to fight night? MR: We fight in 10 ounce gloves on fight night, the sparring gloves have more padding and makes your punches slower. But they also protect your hands, no use getting injured training. When you get to fight night you punch quicker in the lighter gloves. tough and keeps you honest. DD: Ever sparred the Tzuyu's? MR: Have sparred Nikita a few times, he's a hell of a fighter and always gives you tough rounds.

East Gippsland News Weekend | March 2024 Bairnsdale with us. DD: How's he looking? MR: He's looking good, learning all the time, it'll be an interesting bout. DD: When did you take up boxing? MR: When I was about 11, I used to go to the gym in Stratford with Dennis Booth, loved it from the start. DD: When did you start training under Paul "Turk" Carroll? MR: Think I was 12 when we started coming to Bairnsdale and have been doing it ever since. DD: Have you always lived in the region? MR: I was born in Queensland, my parents are from here, they made the move back when I was four. DD: When was first official fight? Where was it at? MR: It was at the Bairnsdale RSL, I was 12, weighted in at 44 kilograms and lost. DD: But you had plenty of success, an Australian title. MR: I was lucky enough to pick up an Australian title and a couple of Victorian titles. The Australian title was in Queensland in the 57 kilogram division. DD: Were you playing football at the time? MR: Began at Stratford, moved to Sale at under 12 level and was playing senior football as a 17-year-old. DD: And you had to make a decision? MR: Yes, I was pretty injury prone on the football field and decided to go with the boxing. DD: When did you turn pro? MR: I was 19, my first fight was in Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre against Lawrence Knosp. DD: Saturday night will be your 11th professional fight and you're still unbeaten, things are going well. What's the ambition? MR : To get to the number one sport in Australia and then go global. DD : How do the rankings work, there are so many different bodies? MR: Yes there are no shortage of belts, but we go off the ANBF and Box Rec rankings. DD: Who are the boxers you will need to fight to push that case? MR: Rohan Murdoch is the biggest name in my weight class. Tej Singh and Jack Bowen are amongst the best going around at the minute. DD: What are your

TO & FRO Damo with

MR: Super middleweight is 76.2 kilograms and I make that easy, it's my ideal division. DD: From weigh-in to the fight, what will you eat and how much weight will you put on? MR: Pasta, steak, eggs and bacon. Hopefully put on four kilograms. DD: With your height and reach, that makes you one of the bigger lads in the class? MR: Yes. DD: Whats the training in the last few days before a bout like? MR: Shadow boxing, some bag work and been doing a bit of walking to tick the legs over.

DD: What weight are you fighting at on Saturday and is that a challenge?

DD: What do you know about your opponent, former national titleholder, Adrian Rodriquez, looks a tough customer? MR: He's tough and keeps coming forward with hands up. DD: Should be a big night back in front

long term ambitions? Time is certainly on your side. MR: To have a successful career, make some cash and come out with my brain all together. DD: Who are your role models? MR: Tim Tszyu, Liam Wilson and Sam Goodman are guys I enjoy watching on No Limit. DD: You have seen the Tszyu's up close and obviously see how hard they work?

ANGLICAN CHURCH Easter Services – all are welcome St John’s Bairnsdale 2 Francis Street - Good Friday 9.30am Meditation on the Cross - Easter Day 9.15am All Age Communion St Peter’s Paynesville 35 Newlands Drive - Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion - Good Friday 9.30am Liturgy on the Cross - Easter Day 9.30am Sung Eucharist The Abbey Raymond Island 1-25 First Parade - Good Friday 3.00pm Stations of the Cross

of your home crowd, they might rename it Maxydome one day. MR: Should be a great night, Will Tomlinson has put together a great card. DD: Plenty of "Mad" Max Reeves merchandise on sale? MR: Yes, there be an opportunity to get the new stuff on the night. DD: Potential to be the biggest ringside crowd you have fought in front? MR: I hope so. DD: I see the local football lads are going at it, that would be testing your allegiance. MR: Yes I'm an ex Sale player, but Maffra's Daniel Bedggood has been working out in

MR: I've picked up a few little tricks off them in regards to training, and the association has certainly been beneficial. DD: Tell me about Turk. MR: He's a one-of-a-kind coach, you would not meet a better bloke, he calls everyday just to see how you are going, and he has the knowledge to get me where I want to go. Does an amazing job at the gym working with a big crew. DD: What do you do when you're not boxing?

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