Promising boxing prospect Elizabeth Hogan to fight Australian champion in Mt Isa

ARRERNTE Community Boxing Academy is sending a strong group of promising fighters to Mt Isa to compete, with Elizabeth Hogan who will take on an Australian champion chief among them

Elizabeth Hogan with two-time Olympian and professional boxer Jamie Pittman. Picture: Supplied

ARRERNTE Community Boxing Academy is sending a strong group of promising fighters to Mt Isa to compete, with Elizabeth Hogan who will take on an Australian champion chief among them.

The academy has been making a name for itself in the Red Centre in recent times, and is growing in talent and clients almost every week.

Academy founding director Jason Lord formed the organisation to give youth direction on and off the streets.

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He said the meet would be a good chance to show off the growing talent at his Alice Springs academy.

“Alice Springs has always had the cream of the boxing crop in the Territory and we’re finding our mark once again,” Lord said.

“The boxing academy has been a long dream of ours, getting kids off the street and giving them something to focus on. It took us a while to find a place to call home but we now get 50-plus a night, and it has a really good family feel and is on the tip of the tongue for a lot of people in Alice.”

Hogan has a massive challenge on her hands in the 69kg class this weekend, with her opponent being Australian champion Leah Mason from Cairns.

The 27-year-old started her boxing journey in the Philippines at the age of 23 and, though she never expected to go on with the sport, she fell in love with it.

Hogan has battled with anxiety, depression and ice addiction herself but uses her boxing to battle and overcome those past experiences.

“I walked into a gym in the Philippines to do some exercise and never had any intention of fighting but fell in love,” she said.

“I’ve had some really good opportunities and have been really lucky with some of the coaches I’ve had along the way.

“This weekend is such a great opportunity. I am nervous but it’s a chance that doesn’t come often so I’m going to grab it with both hands.

“It’s going to be a skilful match and I’m going to need to be on my toes. My jab is my power shot which people don’t expect so I will use that.”

Other competitors from the Arrernte Academy include Nate Mason, Alex Lewis, Arnold Baird, Jack Strainers and Kevin Collins Jr.