Nambucca boxer Mitchel Stapleton’s amazing comeback after illness

Even in the darkest, loneliest of hours, Coffs Coast champion Mitchel Stapleton clung to the boxing dream.

“I‘m still here. I’m not going away. This is my time,” says Mitchel Stapleton. Picture: Chris Knight.

A debilitating and potentially fatal medical condition has done what no opponent could – floor local boxing star Mitchel Stapleton.

The 22-year-old lord of the ring has opened up for the first time on his long health battle after doctors discovered he had a torn intestine.

“I was 18-years-old and it was my first New Year‘s (as an adult). I’d had three drinks at the Gold Coast and I said ’no more’,” the Nambucca Heads prodigy said.

Mitchel Stapleton winning his first national title as a 10-year-old, seen here with his dad Ian.

Suffering severe abdominal pain, it was a hurried trip south and straight to Coffs Harbour Hospital.

“I ended up spending 30 days off-and-on in hospital. The doctors, and it wasn‘t just one – it was 10 or so specialists – said you’ll never play sport again,” Mitchel said.

His dad and trainer Ian ‘Sparra’ Stapleton recalled: “At one stage we thought we might lose him”.

But the five-time national amateur champion never lost heart, though the condition sidelined him from boxing for more than a year.

“I never stopped believing that I‘d make it back one day,” Mitchel said.

And that he did – in the biggest of ways.

After winning a swag of belts, the towering welterweight turned professional.

Mitchel Stapleton: “I wasn‘t even trying to knock them out. I wanted to box – but the punches just landed.” Picture: Chris Knight.

But he’s had only two fights in the past four years on the back of Covid disruption and the challenge of securing matches.

The two outings as a pro have been brief, for the lad known as the Dynamite Kid.

Both were first round knockouts, as Mitchel answered any questions on his comeback. The proof was in the pounding.

“I wasn’t even trying to knock them out. I wanted to box – but the punches just landed,” he said.

Managed by the highly regarded Tony Tolj, Mitchel now wants to hit the boost button on his celebrated and stalled career.

“I was on two Tim Tszyu undercards but I wouldn‘t take the first one because it was only four weeks’ notice and the second one the other guy wouldn’t sign even though he had 10 weeks,” Mitchel said.

“I‘m hoping to have five fights next year. I want to make the big time overseas like Kambosos (the new world lightweight champion). How good was it to see an Aussie with all of the belts.

“I‘m still here. I’m not going away. This is my time.”