Three young stars from Springfield’s Warrior Boxing Gym are off to U19 National Titles

Three dedicated young boxers from Springfield’s Warrior Boxing Gym are off to the Under 19 national titles in Melbourne next month. Read about the rookies here.

From his backyard to a booming boxing gym for young local boxers, Englishman John Black has been training the next generation.

Black was coaching young boxers in his 2m by 6m backyard when he first came to Australia in December 2012.

Now, three up-and-coming talents from his Springfield Warrior Boxing Gym are off to the Under 19s National Titles in Melbourne next month.

The trio of Sienna Pinnell, 13, Beau Jone, 16, and Black’s 13-year-old son, Oscar, are at the top of the Springfield talents emerging in the flourishing sport.

Warrior Boxing Gym young guns. Left to right: Oscar Black, Beau Jone and Sienna Pinnell.

Coach Black said the trio had worked hard and each had their hearts set on the 2032 Olympic Games.

“I am really proud of these three who have succeeded. It’s not down to me. It is down to them. I have encouraged them and they’ve gone off and done it,” he said.

“They are really dedicated. They are looking to prove themselves at the titles and are going to do their best to win their fights.”

13-year-old Oscar Black:

Standing at 185.4cm (6ft 1in) this driven young boxer has a true love for the game.

Although he “likes punching people’s faces in like the great Tyson Fury”, Oscar’s real role model is his dad, John.

“He pushes me to be my best and inspires me,” Oscar said of his dad. “I want to turn professional and go to the Olympics.”

Warrior Boxing Gym young-gun Oscar Black, centre, with dad John Black, left, and mum Jo Black.

Oscar has the chance to win the title in Melbourne next month, with some timely form under his belt.

Having taken a few losses this season, he is peaking at the right time, taking out the State Title in the 60kg under 15s division.

Warrior Boxing Gym young gun Beau Jone and Oscar Black.

Coach Black said: “We don’t worry about the losses. A loss isn’t a loss as long as you learn from it. It provides experience towards the bigger picture. If he hadn’t lost, he might’ve taken the foot off the gas.”

Warrior Boxing Gym young gun Beau Jone.

16-year-old Beau Jone:

Black has high praise for Jone, with the heavy-hitter having eyes fixated on earning that Title next month.

Jone has transitioned from a young kid to a young man. “Jone has been sparring against men which has led to greater maturity and spa resistance,” Black said.

Warrior Boxing Gym young gun Beau Jone.

“He’s got a lot of power. Men are coming out of encounters with him saying this kid can hit.”

“It’s a real privilege to be going with them. and I hope they get the glory they deserve for their hard work.”

13-year-old Sienna Pinnell:

Warrior Boxing Gym young gun Sienna Pinnell.

Sienna has only been boxing for seven months, but she is one of the most dedicated young athletes Coach Black has ever encountered.

He said even after doing an extra session of sprints and pads in the morning, she was still committed to improving her fitness in the afternoon with 4km of running.

He said it showed the young athlete had a hunger for a gold medal.

Sienna’s goal, along with hard-hitting duo Oscar and Beau, is to be at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Warrior Boxing Gym young gun Sienna Pinnell and coach John Black.

“We owe guys like Jeff Horn and George Kambosos Jr a lot of credit for bringing boxing back to Queensland,” Black said.

“We have a great opportunity to capitalise now with the government getting behind the sport too. It’s great to see. Boxing has skyrocketed. Now it is all around. It’s headed mainstream again, especially in Queensland with the amount of athletes across the state.”

The state has the biggest team in Australia with a boxer in every division headed to the titles.

Black said the trio would be ones to watch in July.

Springfield’s Warrior Boxing Gym is now at full capacity with many juniors eager to give it a go.