Boxing rising star Beau Piggott is set for the Youth World Championships

Boxer Beau Piggott has transformed from a “miniature” fighter to one of Australia’s rising stars. He talks about his journey, Olympic-sized goals and his upcoming challenge.

Beau Piggott throws a punch. Pictures: Archivist Media

When boxer Beau Piggott first stepped into a ring, the floor beneath him hardly trembled.

Piggott, from the Mornington Peninsula, was 11 years old and weighed no more than 35kgs.

His coach, Australian Olympic boxing coach Marcos Amado, had to sit on the edge of the ring to be a suitable height for pad work.

But as Piggott’s size suggested one story, his boxing told another.

“Oh mate, he was miniature,” Amado recalled.

“He would’ve been up to my knees, I used to sit down on the side of the ring and hold pads for him.

“But from the start I saw there was something there, he was determined, wanted to learn, asked all the right questions, did all the right things.”

Beau Piggott is bound for Colorado. Pictures: Archivist Media

That “something there” transformed quickly – and Piggott is now on his way to Colorado to represent Australia at the Youth World Championships.

Piggott laughs when he reflects on his journey from mini to marvel and is grateful for the journey.

“I was doing some pads in the backyard with dad and he just said ‘do you want to go up to the gym’ and I thought we may as well,” Piggott said.

“I have never looked back since, now I have the youth world championships coming up in Colorado, I am honoured to represent the country alongside the best in Australia.

“This gym is amazing, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“I have the best support crew, the best coach, it’s just awesome.”

Piggott trains out of the same Mornington gym as Olympians Caitlin Parker and Tyla McDonald.

He doesn’t shy away from his desire to follow Parker and McDonald but knows first-hand the effort and sacrifice it takes to get there.

“I want to go to the Olympics, get a gold medal and turn pro,” he said.

“That’ll be unreal, I can’t wait for that and have all this kind of support.

“It’s a whole different game, you see the level they’re on and it’s a whole another level, I just can’t wait until I am there.

“I need to improve my footwork, my defence, but you can always improve on everything.”

Beau Piggott throws a punch. Pictures: Archivist Media

Amado sees “a huge future” for Piggott and loves the idea of the teenager setting lofty goals.

“The fact at 17 he’s already qualified to represent Australia on the world stage in the mecca of boxing, the United States, it’s a testament to his hard work,” Amado said.

“Very much so, too many people in life only look at what’s in front of them, he’s a big thinker, big planner.”

Amado thinks Piggott’s biggest weapon as a fighter is his ability to adapt to each opponent.

Piggott will lean into that strength later this year in Colorado, treating every opponent as the best boxer in the world.

“I like to not know, go in there with an open mind and see what happens on the day,” Piggott said.

The Youth World Championships start in October and finish in November.