VIDEO: PCYC boxing coach Des Upton wins local legends award

It’s not the first time Des has been recognised for his tireless dedication to coaching and mentoring local boxing hopefuls.

DES Upton isn't just a boxing coach.

He's a helping hand, a role model, a father figure, a mate and most importantly, he's loved by all.

That's why the 78-year-old Rockhampton man has won The Morning Bulletin/Bundaberg Rum Local Sports Legends competition.

Des won a $100 pre-paid Visa card and is in the running to win a Ticketek voucher to see a legendary concert, return flights and accommodation for two people plus $400 spending money to have a legendary time after five people nominated him in the unsung heroes' competition.

One of those nominators was champion local boxer Ben Bowes, who has also won a $100 pre-paid Visa card.

It's not the first time Des has been recognised for his tireless dedication to coaching and mentoring local boxing hopefuls.

In 2009, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. The humble coach didn't expect the recognition then and nothing has changed.

"Gerald Victor who used to have Murphy's Motors nominated me for the Order of Australia and it was great. It's something I didn't expect," Des said.

"Mate, I honestly don't know what to say about the Local Legends but I am really grateful. I get more out of it than what the kids do. They keep me young, I'm 78 this year and I feel about 68."

Coaching local kids has been keeping Des young for over 30 years now.

The Mitchell-born coach said he started boxing when he was about 17 years old and quickly turned his focus to coaching.

"I didn't box much. I come from Mitchell originally which is a little town between Roma and Charleville and to go anywhere was a five hour trip as it was an old dirt road and I didn't have a car until I was 20-something," Des said.

"I had about five fights but I trained for years.

"I moved to Rocky in 1968 and there were a couple of boys that used to go down to Barry McDonald on the river at the YMCA Hall.

"Then I went out to Bluff in 1984 and was training boys there for two years. Then we went to Blackwater and started at the PCYC and have been going ever since.

"I was giving it away when I came to Rocky in 2003 and then a couple of people asked me to train their young fellas.

"We started out under the house and I finished up with 20-odd kids. So I had to move over to the PCYC then, and I'm glad I did because it's great over there."

While he loves the boxing, Des said he loves helping the kids more.

"It keeps me young chasing the blokes all the time," he said.

"They are like family. They never back answer you, they never go crook, they whinge a bit but they look after me and mother (his wife Helen) keeps them in toe if they play up.

"We had a few trees down in the cyclone and they all came out to give me a hand and clean it up a bit.

"I have a young fella at the moment, he's not the best fighter in the world but he is a champion kid. Liam Barrett. I think he has won three fights out of 10 but he really puts in the effort. He's my main glove steward and he is always there to help you.

"All of them are great. There have been about 10 blokes I've trained whose weddings I've gone to."

Des has coached countless boxing champions in his time, but needless to say the achievements of his son Cameron are the ones he's most proud of.

"Cameron did it for years and won eight state titles. He was a great fighter in his day. He event went over to PNG and won there," Des said.

"He's a great help for me now, he comes down every now and then to help coach. Merv Stewart comes and gives me a hand too."

Des' biggest help though comes from another unsung hero - his wife Helen.

"She looks after the kids, they don't go on with crushed shorts or crushed singlets, she washes them and irons them for them," Des said.

"They all love her, the young fellas. Mrs Uppy they call her."

Des wished to thank everybody that nominated him for the Local Sports Legends competition, as well as everyone who has looked after him in boxing.

Originally published as VIDEO: PCYC boxing coach Des Upton wins local legends award