North Brisbane boxer earns World Championship selection

A North Lakes teenager’s glittering boxing career has reached a new height, as his tireless work ethic earns him a place in Australia’s youth world championship squad — and it was all started by one iconic movie.

While typical 16-year-old boys might be more interested in video games or going to parties, North Lakes’ Aaron Grealey is training twice a day, six days a week, hoping to fulfil an Olympic dream.

The young has been selected to represent Australia at the 2022 IBA Men’s and Women’s Youth World Championships in Spain, November 13-27.

A product of the All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton since moving over here from the UK five years ago, Aaron’s tireless dedication and work ethic is paying off.

Aaron will fight in the 60kg category at the world youth championships, a stepping stone to a potential Olympic or Commonwealth Games selection.

His mother Sharon Grealey couldn’t be prouder of her boy, who fell in love with boxing at the age of seven, after trying out kickboxing first with his older sister when he was five.

16-year-old Aaron Grealey of North Lakes (right) is training twice a day, six days a week, in preparation for the World Youth Boxing Championships in Spain. Picture: Contributed

“He watched a couple of Rocky films, went to the boxing gym when he was seven and he’s never looked back,” Mrs Grealey said.

“His sister got a black belt in kickboxing when she was 10 but Aaron decided to go on and do boxing.

“He’s got a lot of support.

“Family-wise myself, husband and my daughter.

“Between us all we make sure he gets back and forth to training.”

He has previously won the Australian National Title in 2019 and 2022 and was named best youth fighter at the 2022 event.

Outside of the ring, Aaron is working as hard in the classroom, maintaining As and Bs in his classes, along with working at City Cave North Lakes on Sunday’s, his only day off training.

Along with the challenge of maintaining his weight at 60kg, a seemingly impossible task for a growing teenage boy with rising testosterone levels

“He’s blocking out external temptations of going out with his friends and grabbing burgers,” Mrs Grealey said.

“It’s not something he does because boxing takes up to much of his time.

“In school he’s pushed last year and this year to get As and Bs.

“He’s achieved that and is completing his certificate to be a personal trainer.

“That’s where his heart lies alongside and after boxing.”

Aaron Grealey also works hard outside the boxing ring, aiming for high grades in the classroom. Picture: Contributed

Commonwealth Games boxer Liam Wilson is one of the professional boxers Aaron is brushing shoulders with at the academy.

“People completely underestimate boxing,” Mrs Grealey said.

“The club he trains at and his coaches are so dedicated to the cause which in turn means, the kids are super focused, disciplined super respectful.

“They know without hard work, determination and being respectful to others, you don’t get anywhere in this sport.

“Sometimes people see boxing for the wrong reasons and it really has made a massive difference in Aaron.”

16 year-old Aaron Grealey of North Lakes (right) is training alongside a talented crop of professional boxers at the All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton. Picture: Contributed

Mrs Grealey is asking for sponsorship from local businesses as the cost of funding her son’s promising young career balloons.

“We do as much as we can ourselves,” Mrs Grealey said.

“You’ve got a home to run, trainers and gloves to pay for and everything else.

“We’re at the point now where we’d like to aim for sponsorship, to help and support Aaron.

“He needs to be protected the best he can be.

“Be the first one’s on his shorts.”