Dana Coolwell, Bryce Schafer headline Hinterland Boxing P4P Promotions fight night
A Sunshine Coast boxing fan favourite is ready to step back into the ring for a crucial title shot while another leading contender is set to make his long awaited pro debut. See what both fighters had to say.
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Two Sunshine Coast boxing talents are ready to lay it all on the line next month when they step inside the ring in front of a passionate home crowd.
Hinterland Boxing Club fighters Dana Coolwell and Bryce Schafer will be fighting on the inaugural Punch-4-Pay Promotions fight card scheduled for March 23 at the Caloundra RSL.
After a lack of opportunities and recognition for his rising stars, HBC owner and coach Stephen Pitt took matters into his own hands with the launch of his new P4P Promotions business.
“Instead of running everything through HBC, I just created P4P to take the necessary things away from that and utilise the promotional side of things,” he said.
“Where it will end up, we don’t know at this stage because we just need this one to go to plan but there are some big things on the table and of course it’s not just focused on local boxers as people can see from this upcoming event.”
The stacked fight card will also feature the first-ever women’s title fight in the region with Tywarna Campbell and Brisbane-born Deanha Hobbs contesting the main event for the WIBA World Super Feather title.
Popular Queensland jockeys Boris “Big Bad” Thornton and Luke “Tyrant” Tarrant will also step into the ring for a corporate bout.
“When we started this journey we did everything from fundraising, accommodation, training camps, travel and all the rest of it so it’s almost we’ve come full circle where we know what works best for us and we’re not having to rely on outside people or factors,” Pitt said.
“It’s a lot of work obviously because I’m promoting, matchmaking, coaching, managing and still running the day-to-days at the gym but it was the necessary thing to do to further Dana’s career.
“It’s a complex role but I’m so driven because we’ve got an incredible athlete that has a goal and a coach who will give it his all so we can’t blame anyone if it doesn’t work out because it’s on us.”
For tickets or more information contact Stephen 0418 764 547.
Ahead March 23 we caught up with both local fighters to find out how they were feeling.
Dana ‘Deadly’ Coolwell
Following a convincing knockout win at the end of 2023 against Angelo Beltran, the 24-year-old will now contest the IBO Intercontinental featherweight title against Fernando Tagpuno Jr from the Philippines.
Coolwell, who holds a current record of 12-2 (8 knockouts), said he’s excited for the challenge.
“Tagpuno has a record of 7-2, he lost his first two fights but has since returned and won seven straight all by knockout,” he said.
“He’s obviously got heavy hands which means I have to be on my A-game to win.
“I’ve watched a bit of his footage and he always comes to fight, he’s a pressure fighter so I’ll have to be smart in using my range and distance.”
A Beerwah Bulldogs rugby league club junior, Coolwell said he was happy with how things were tracking and was excited to fight in front of a home crowd.
“I started camp early and got ahead in terms of fitness and now we’re in the contact phase of things so sparring and sharpening up and then I’ve got one more hard block before I freshen up in the lead up to fight night,” he said.
“Fighting at home is a bit of added pressure but with pressure I think brings out my best performances and I’m ready to put on a great performance.”
A victory for Coolwell would solidify his pathway to a legitimate world title shot.
“With this fight and hopefully title, it will put me into the mandatory position as next in line for the IBO Featherweight Title,” he said,
“My ultimate goal and my teams ultimate goal this year is to win this title, get my official ranking and then if possible bring a World title to the Sunshine Coast.”
Coolwell expressed his thanks and gratitude to his sponsors as well as head coach Stephen Pitt.
Bryce ‘Showtime’ Schafer
In June it will be 10 years since Schafer first picked up the boxing gloves and after 50 amateur bouts (38-12) he’s set to make his professional debut against Canadian boxer Nabil Guenani.
The 24-year-old, who was formerly fighting out of Caloundra City Boxing, joined forces with HBC in the lead up to his debut.
“It was always in the back of my mind, chasing that next step and next level so I reached out to Stephen and he was keen to have me,” he said.
“It’s been the perfect fit, camp has been great, it’s a lot more professional and one of the best lead ups to a fight I’ve had.
“This fight has been a long time coming since I started boxing but hopefully I can chalk up my first win and then just look to build on top of that.”
The former Kawana Dolphins and Caloundra Sharks junior rugby league player said he doesn’t know a lot about his opponent but was excited to show what he can do.
“We’re obviously both looking to win and put on a show,” he said.
“I pride myself on inside fighting and closing the distance where I can so I’ll be looking to do that, take my chances at landing some heavy shots and hopefully put him away early.
“I’m hoping to get a fair few locals out which will make it a good atmosphere and hopefully it finishes as a good debut.”
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