Punches at Port Leagues Club card will see an all-Illawarra stacked card, with locals taking on fighters from Sydney and the ACT.

Promotor James Grech from Grechy’s Boxing said it’s a chance to put Wollongong’s stellar amateur boxing scene at centre stage.

“There hasn’t been a fight night Port Leagues in quite some time so we’re bringing it back,” Grech said.

“It’s all amateur card, all locals against fighters from Sydney and the ACT and we’ve got five Illawarra Championship belts up for grabs.

“Most of the time we’ve got to go to Sydney or elsewhere for tournaments so it’s good to put on a show in the Illawarra so we can showcase the local talent.

“If it’s successful we want to try and out on four a year. A lot of promotors might put on a local tournament but have a lot Sydney fighters come down and fight each other. We want to showcase the local talent.” 

A host of Illawarra gyms will be represented, including seven from Crocker’s Gym at Dapto who train under veteran guru Vito Gaudiosi.

“I think the amateur scene’s the best it’s been in the Illawarra, there’s so many great trainers putting the work into the kids,’ Gaudiosi said.

“Most of our local fighters have to travel Sydney, western NSW or interstate to fight. My intention with the novices is to keep them really busy so to be able to fight local is brilliant because we don’t get too many opportunities to do it. 

“It’s great to have the fights at Port Kembla, it’s my hometown where I grew up, so it’s great to see boxing back there.” 

Doors open at 5.30pm, tickets are $25.