Jackson ‘Stoneleigh’ Griffiths defends Australasia Welterweight Title in Pittsworth showdown

A 22-year-old boxer from a small Queensland country town sensationally defended his Australasia Welterweight Title on Friday in a clinical performance. Check out the details of his stunning rise here.

Pittsworth boxer Jackson 'Stoneleigh' Griffiths with his coach Bradley Smith after defending his Australasia Welterweight Title belt on June 14 2024. Picture: Darren Burns.

Young Pittsworth boxer Jackson ‘Stoneleigh’ Griffiths put on a show in front of his hometown on Friday night, delivering a third round TKO to India’s Suresh Kumar in his WBC Australasia Welterweight Title defence.

Griffiths has now moved to a 14-0 record as a professional and was delighted to defend his title at the Pittsworth Town Hall.

“It was unreal to be able to get the win, especially to be able to get to do it in my hometown,” he said.

“I won this title in December last year and to be able to come back again and defend it last night (Friday), it was awesome to be able to do that.

“There was a big lead up to it and it was very special to bring it back to Pittsworth.”

After fighting for the honour to win belts in his two most recent bouts, Griffiths said it was a different challenge defending a belt he had already won.

“To be able to win the title it is hard - it is always hard to win a title especially that sort of title but to defend it, it is another situation,” he said.

“You’ve got a fella that’s coming over, he was a three time national amateur champion, his record was 61 fights with 51 wins.

“He was a hungry fighter and he’s ranked number three in India so to be able to defend it, you’re always coming up against someone that's hungry and they want it just as much as you want to defend it.

“So there is that pressure there.”

Pittsworth boxer Jackson 'Stoneleigh' Griffiths with his coach Bradley Smith after defending his Australasia Welterweight Title belt. Picture: Darren Burns.

The 22 year old has been in a stunning purple patch in the last six months, winning two belts and delivering knockout or TKO wins in each of his last three fights.

“Everything has been going well with my preparations and my training,” Griffiths said.

“We are always learning new things in the gym, I feel like I’m on a bit of a roll here now, I think it might be three knockouts in a row.”

After another statement win, the sky is the limit for the Pittsworth pugilist who will have garnered national and international attention from his win.

“I will have to sit down and have a chat to my team but they’ve got me ranked number one in the country at the moment and 35 in the WBC in the world,” Griffiths said.

“So we will plan out what the next step for the career is and what’s best for it.

“When I started a couple of years back I never even thought I would have won the state title let alone to be where I’m at now.

“It just shows if you put your mind to it and your hard work and your dedication it can get you anywhere.”