Toowoomba boxer Lekaysha Woodbridge claims massive wins in state titles

A potential future world boxing phenomenon showed her class at the Sunstate Amateur Boxing League Queensland Titles on the weekend, winning gold medals against older and heavier opponents. Check out her inspirational story from heartbreak to stardom.

Lekaysha Woodbridge after her gold medal win at the Sunstate Amateur Boxing League Queensland Titles.

Lekaysha Woodbridge’s incredible rise through the boxing world continues to turn heads as she left her opponents in her wake at the Sunstate Queensland Titles.

The 17-year-old Toowoomba prodigy claimed statement gold medals in two events, one where she fought an opponent five years her senior, and another against an opponent in a higher weight division.

“It was an absolutely incredible effort from this young lady to fight two finals in two days over four rounds,” trainer Brendon Smith said.

“They were both southpaw boxers and well known local girls that are very tough, they’re good fighters, it was an amazing effort.

“The second fight on the Sunday against the heavier girl, what an amazing performance, she boxed absolutely beautifully.

“She showed brilliant footwork and hand speed and timing and she landed a lot of big shots right through the fight and was a very clear cut winner.”

However, it should come as no surprise to see her achieve these feats as boxing is in her blood after all.

Woodbridge is following in her late father Bruce’s footsteps – the first boxer Smith ever trained.

Since Bruce’s death in 2012, Smith has become a father figure for Lekaysha while helping her pursue her boxing dreams.

A 10-year-old Lekaysha Woodbridge and trainer Brendon Smith with a pictorial tribute to her dad Bruce on display at TGW & Smithy's Gym.

“He pretty much started me off when I was seven, then we’ve never looked back ever since,” she said.

“It is definitely one to keep and a very special bond that we have, he does do a lot for me in and out of the boxing ring.

“I am just so incredibly grateful to have him in my corner not only as my trainer, but as my father figure, it’s a very special bond that myself and Brendon share.”

Woodbridge has won eight of her nine fights this year and is eyeing off a move to the pro ranks next year.

“Going pro is one of my major goals in boxing,” Woodbridge said.

“Hopefully we get to do that next year so it is a very exciting time for myself and for Brendon.

“Having dad (Smith) in my corner and letting him call the shots and all the rest of it, it is really exciting.

Lekaysha Woodbridge and Brendon Smith

“Our goal this year has been to get as many fights as we can, to go everywhere to get as much experience for turning pro next year.”

Smith revealed the areas of noticeable improvement from his young superstar this year with her action-packed schedule taking to fights right across the country.

“The work ethic has always been incredible and it is really starting to pay off, she has natural ability but she also has great work ethic,” Smith said.

“Her punching power is coming up a lot, her fight in Sydney just recently, she scored a first round knockout and then to do what she done to the older mature girls, her power has really come up a lot.

“Her speed, her footwork it is all coming together really well, it is really starting to click, she is starting to understand the science of it out there now and then the changes of different styles in front of her.

“She is improving in the mind, body and it’s all coming together nice now.

“She’s certainly one of the hottest prospects in this country, there no doubt about that.”

Woodbridge is set for a blockbuster end to 2024, with several fights across Australia, including one on The Big Fights 37 card at Rumours International in Toowoomba.

“It definitely is the most exciting being on this card, with really big names, Stoneleigh (Jackson Griffiths), Herman (Ene-Purcell) and Dylan Biggs and all the rest of it, it is a very exciting card,” she said.

“In front of my hometown, they bring the best out of me, having a massive crowd here, having my sponsors, my dad in my corner as my coach Brendon – it definitely brings the best out of me.”

Lekaysha Woodbridge speaks at The Big Fights 35 press conference in 2024

Smith, who doubles as promoter and trainer, loves bringing his younger fighters onto his Big Fights cards where massive world and national title belts are up for grabs.

“That’s the great thing about when we have our big events here in Toowoomba is to showcase the likes of Lekaysha, to showcase them, they’re the next generation, they’re already the role models for the little ones,” Smith said.

“It is such a great thing for her to fight on them, all of this is help, they’ve been in the press conferences, they’ve been in that so it is a development with everything, press conferences, weigh-ins, so she’ll be no stranger to any of it when she hits the big time in the pros.”

Her fight on November 8 in Toowoomba will be her first bout at the venue since one of her greatest boxing moments of her career, when she won the World United Championship Brayd Smith Belt.

Lekaysha Woodbridge celebrates her win on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Rumours International Toowoomba. Picture: Darren Burns

The belt, contested every year in March, honours Brendon Smith’s son Brayd, who died after a bout in 2015.

“That was a very special fight night for myself and for dad and our close family as well and to keep that belt here was a very special moment,” Woodbridge said.

“I definitely look up to Brayd so much in and out of the boxing world and to have dad in my corner to win that fight with him and winning Brayd’s belt was definitely a memory to keep.

“It’s definitely a very big highlight in my boxing career and I don’t think I will be able to top that one for a little while because how special that night was to myself, it was a very special title to win and it will take a bit to get on top of that.”

The full circle moment of leading Lekaysha as both a father and as a trainer, after he first took on training her father Bruce decades ago, is something which Smith holds close to his heart.

“It is very proud and we’ve had some very emotional and proud moments as well,” he said.

“When she won the Australian title down in Tasmania last year – her dad won an Australian title – to see her win the Australian title and do what her dad did was amazing.

“I call her ‘The Last Mohican’ because I always said ‘after you win a world title, I’m retiring’.

“Her dad was the first and she’ll be the last.”