How boxing saved the life of new Australian champ Dana Coolwell

He’s the Beerwah boy who overcame personal tragedy to become an Australian champion and now Dana Coolwell is ready to punch his way onto the world stage.

Beerwah boxer Dana Coolwell won the Australian Super-Featherweight title at the weekend and wants to become world champion by 25. Picture: Patrick Woods.

He turned to boxing as a lost teenager grieving the sudden death of his father and now Dana Coolwell has his sights on a world title.

Coolwell, 22, became the Australian super featherweight champion with an upset defeat of Miles Zalewski in the 10th round on Saturday, December 4.

Nine years before Coolwell’s fateful left hook stood a boy who’d just lost his father and was staring down a path of trouble.

A Beerwah Bulldogs rugby league club junior, Coolwell rocked up at Hinterland Boxing Club aged 13.

He was a lost little boy who would go on to earn the nickname ‘Deadly’.

It was there he threw his first flurry of punches under the then-stunned eyes of coach Steve Pitt and a career was born.

Saturday marked Coolwell’s seventh professional win and the “best of his career”.

Beerwah’s Dana Coolwell knocks out Miles Zalewski in round 10 of the Super Featherweight bout at Fortitude Music Hall on December 04, 2021. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

It came following nine rounds of a jab-focused game plan punched to precision.

“I knew I was up on the scorecards and I caught with him a check hook in the 10th and that was it,” Coolwell said.

“It’s a massive step for me and my career. Just a great result for my team.”

Pitt, 43, said Coolwell “iced” Zalewski with a late hook.

The young star who grew up idolising Floyd Mayweather, Pernell Whitaker, Lionel Rose and Sugar Ray Leonard, said he wants to be world champion by 25.

Beerwah boxer Dana Coolwell (right) with coach Stephen Pitt. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Next year I want to get a regional title and get those bigger fights. But a Commonwealth belt and a world title is the big picture. In the next three to five years, it’s a long journey,” the Indigenous boxer said.

Pitt said Coolwell was destined for greatness.

“Some people can fight well but not talk well, some the opposite, but his kid has it all,” Pitt said.

“You can have people in the crowd who end up being fans of him after watching him.

“He’s a lovely kid, big smile, soft nature, people just gravitate towards him, you just want to be around him.”

How Dana Coolwell overcame family tragedy

Dana Coolwell sparing at Hinterland Boxing Club in Beerwah. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Coolwell was 13 when his father Russell Coolwell died suddenly in 2012.

Less than six months later he’d joined the boxing gym and a year, almost to the day, he had his first fight.

He was reluctant to discuss how his father died but he said the rugged, often unforgiving sport saved him from another, troublesome life.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without boxing. I’d have gone down a bad path, probably running amok,” Coolwell said.

“Steve (and boxing) has had a massive influence on me.

“He’s been there for so much of my personal life, he’s definitely a father figure, friend and a great coach too.”

Pitt remembered a quiet teenager who had no idea of the punching powers he had in his locker.

“When he walked in, I just remember him watching on and I asked him if he wanted to spar another of the boys, and he punched the shit out of him,” Pitt said.

“At the time, he’d just lost his dad and was in that transition period of going from a boy to a man.

“I’m hugely proud of him. I’m just grateful to be part of his journey.”

Pitt said Coolwell was a “graduate from the school of hard knocks”.

“Nothing has been given to him. His resilience he’s just built up and it’s paying off,” he said.

Beerwah boxer Dana Coolwell said his road to the top had been one rocked by tragedy. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Why Coolwell is “one of 1000”

Pitt’s strict training regimen means Coolwell is up before dawn six, sometimes seven, mornings a week for road runs or sprint training well before the Hinterland Boxing Club doors officially open.

The morning workouts are one of two daily sessions.

But in the nine years they’ve been together Coolwell has a 100 per cent attendance record.

“He was two minutes late for training once. He arrived in his undies and full of apologies,” Pitt laughed.

“He never questions anything I ask of him. And he’ll never stop working.”

New Australian super featherweight champion Dana Coolwell. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Coolwell admitted to having accidentally hit snooze when the alarm rang out.

“I woke up about 10 minutes before the session started and just threw on some clothes, I had shoes but no socks on and sprinted to the gym,” he said.

“Luckily we lived only five minutes away.”

Pitt said Coolwell’s success was of his own making.

“You could have 1000 kids or more come through before you find another Dana, this kid is destined for greatness and I’m so proud he chose me,” Pitt said.