Dalby boxer Judd Alderton defeats Europe's best during bronze medal run

In a true David versus Goliath moment, Dalby’s Judd Alderton faced off against Europe's’ number one boxer at a major tournament in Germany. Find out more here.

Judd Alderton in action at an international boxing tournament in Germany. Photo: Contributed.

A Western Downs boxer from a town of just shy of 13,000 has defeated Europe’s number one fighter at a tournament in Berlin.

Dalby PCYC’s Judd Alderton, alongside his dad and coach Andrew, travelled to Germany in September to take part in the German Open, a five day event which saw 10 Australian athletes and three coaches take on fighters from across Europe and Australasia.

“Judd went over as the 66kg Australian champion and team captain and I went as one of the coaches,” Andrew said.

“It was a team of 10 Australians and we stayed at the Olympic training camp in Berlin where our Olympic team trained before they went to Paris, before we went to Lindow for the tournament.

“There were fighters from eight countries there including Germany, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand.”

Dalby boxer Judd Alderton with coach and father Andrew. Picture: Emily Devon

Mr Alderton said Judd got off to a strong start in his first match.

“In his first fight Judd fought the number three in Europe from Germany and beat him, the next day he fought the number one in Europe also from Germany and beat him,” he said.

“Their style in Europe is standing very tall and straight and punching straight down the centre and because of our movement he was able to get around them pretty easily.

“They were very tough fighters and they could take a hit but we seemed to be able dominate them by using our footwork and angles.”

In his third fight Judd was narrowly defeated, putting an end to his gold medal run.

“In the third day Judd was up against a Czechoslovakian and went to a split decision but didn't quite get the win,” Andrew said.

“Because he had two wins and a loss he went down for a rematch against the number one guy in Europe for the bronze medal, but the German had taken too much damage in his fight before so Judd ended up getting the walk through win.

“Out of a small team of 10, which wasn't supposed to get anywhere, we ended up with four golds, three silvers, a bronze, a fourth and a fifth.”

The tournament caps off an impressive year for Judd who took out wins in the state titles, Golden Gloves and nationals before being selected for the under-19 juniors team.

Andrew said the tournament had done wonders for Judd’s confidence, knowing he could mix it up with the best of them.

“I think it opened up his eyes a fair bit, he’d been international before but this one was sitting on his shoulders a little bit, but when he got in there and he was boxing with these guys who were number one in Europe and taking them apart it was a pretty big confidence boost,” he said.

“It’s unreal for a kid who is now 16 to have been to the United States, been an Australian champion twice, been a Queensland champion twice and to captain a team and fight the best in Europe, it blows his mind.

“It also gives other kid in Dalby and other small towns a boost knowing if he can do it they can have a crack as well.”