Javan Pines has God in his corner at elite national boxing titles
Unwavering faith that God has his back could be the difference when Edmonton boxer Javan Pines fights for an elite national title this week.
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UNWAVERING faith that God has his back could be the difference when Edmonton boxer Javan Pines fights for an elite national title this week.
Pines will represent Queensland in the 86kg division at the Elite Australian Boxing Championships in Adelaide this week, one of the biggest opportunities of the 32-year-old’s boxing career to date.
Now training out of Do It Boxing with Zap De Jong, the 32-year-old is instantly identifiable by the black cockatoo feather he wears every day.
But it isn’t a random fashion choice made by the boxer. It is symbolic of his faith, a symbol of good luck and one the he holds dear.
“It was God letting me know he has my back,” Pines said.
“I was looking for one for three years, I prayed on Christmas Eve and there was one out front of my car on Christmas Day.
“I took it as a sign from God and I keep it on me as good luck.”
Pines grew up in Rockingham, Western Australia, where he was a talented junior rugby league footballer who was offered the chance to move to the east coast and pursue an opportunity in the 13-man code.
He landed at a feeder club for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Maroubra, but the rugby league dream didn’t pan out.
“I lived there for a bit and got caught up with a few of the boys there,” Pines said.
He’s called Cairns home for years now, where he fell in love with the natural beauty of the tropics, which has helped keep him centred through the years.
Pines uses the natural surrounds as part of his training or recovery, whether its sprinting hills near Copperlode Dam or using Crystal Cascades to recover and re-energise.
It’s all part of his pursuit of a boxing dream, which is why this national championship event is so important for the 32-year-old.
He is driven to make it in boxing, quitting his job to dedicate every minute of the day to perfecting the fine art.
“When I was 28, I decided I’d quit work and put everything into it,” he said.
“I quit my job to train three times a day.
“For something like this, I do two hours in the morning, two hours in the arvo and two hours in night.
“It was a little (scary), I don’t get to go out or spend much money; I’m living on a small budget.
“But I don’t want to be the guy sitting in a pub thinking I never had a proper shot, so I’m giving it 110 per cent.”
That choice delivered in that he now has four titles to his name - three state belts and a national championship - but he wants to add more gold before trying to turn professional.
“I believe I’m training harder than my opponents. It’s opened up heaps of opportunities, I’ve been offered some pro fights,” Pines said.
“I was in the league before association, and I got three Queensland titles in different weight divisions – super heavyweight, heavyweight and light heavyweight – and a heavyweight Australian title for league.
“Now in the association, I’m going for the Australian title, and I want that on my resume.”
Pines left Cairns bound for Adelaide on Monday, with a two-day camp ahead of the event’s first day of action on Thursday.
And while he won’t have De Jong in his corner, Pines is adamant he will have God on his side.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
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