SA boxer Callum Peters aiming to earn a spot on Australia’s under-19 team to take on New Zealand

A junior boxer, touted as one of the countries rising stars, says the sport has helped him become more confident. Now he is aiming to represent Australia at a tournament against New Zealand.

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Callum Peters has three state boxing titles, three junior national Golden Glove championships as well as a gold medal from the Marist Boxing tournament in Samoa – and he’s only 16.

He has only been fighting competitively for the past three years and already boasts a record of 21 wins and six losses.

But the Northside Boxing club member is refusing to rest on his laurels and craves even more success.

“I want to represent my country at the Commonwealth and Olympic level,” Callum, of Davoren Park says.

Callum’s dream is set to receive a boost next month when he travels to the Australian Sports Institute in Canberra as part of Boxing Australia’s 13-strong futures squad.

Northside Boxing Club’s Callum Peters. Picture: Simon Cross

He was one of two SA athletes chosen, along with Westside Boxing Club’s Connor Read.

The futures squad identifies the next generation of boxers and acts as a pathway to international representation.

Callum, who competes in the 69-75kg youth category, hopes to impress during the AIS camp and earn a spot on Australia’s under-19 team, which will compete in New Zealand later this year.

The Playford International Year 11 student says his love for the sport and his club continues to grow as he strives to be the country’s number one boxer.

“I started kickboxing for fitness and confidence when I was nine, I then moved to boxing not long after,” he says.

“Northside are my family as I have grown up here. I also enjoy keeping fit and pushing myself.”

Amateur boxer Callum Peters will travel attend a training camp with the Australian Futures Squad at the AIS next month. Picture: Simon Cross

Callum says boxing also provides him an outlet after struggling with dyslexia.

“I have a communication delay, which means I learn more from being shown that being told,” he says.

“I believe it has helped me with boxing as I have been able to watch and learn body language and movement in a different way.”

Callum’s co-coach, Kimberly Bennett, describes him as a determined youngster who will stop at nothing to reach his dream.

“He is by far the most humble kid that I’ve met in my life,” Bennett says.

“It’s an absolute understatement to say he’s a good boxer.

“He looks like he’s been boxing for 20 years.

“He’s just so silky and smooth and the great thing about Callum is he just keeps getting better.”