Local resident Tim Hunt is an up-and-coming professional boxer. He fights in the welterweight division and for those who don’t know what that is, it is for boxers weighing more than 63.5 kilos but not more than 66.7 kilos.

Tim has risen through the ranks quickly and is currently the Victorian welterweight champion after defeating Aswin Cabuy on 19 November to take the crown. He defeated the highly touted Cabuy in eight rounds to become champion for the first time in his career.

When asked about his future goals prior to the title fight Tim replied: “I definitely plan on becoming the Australian welterweight champion and I honestly believe I will be the champion in 2011.” The man is sticking to his words so far.

Boxing has always been a part of the Hunt household, even fduring Tim’s early years. He started fighting with his brother and now takes on the big boys of boxing.

“I first got involved with boxing when my dad took me down to the local gym as a kid just for a bit of confidence-building and extra fitness,” says Tim. “Boxing has always been something my dad loved and I remember him putting the gloves on me when I was about five years old and how he used to get me and my brother to fight each other in the lounge room at home while his mates watched on.” Tim has always looked up to his father and wanted to make him proud.

Tim’s current trainer is Mick Hargraves. Tim has the utmost respect for Mick and sees him as a role model. Tim’s favourite current fighter is Floyd Mayweather, who provides him with inspiration.

Tim is completely dedicated when it comes to boxing. His training includes two intense sessions a day, six days a week. Morning runs, which vary between 10 and 15 kilometres. And sprint and strength and conditioning sessions. I recently did a lap around Princes Park myself and I thought I was fit but how wrong I was! Anyone who runs regularly will know how hard it is to run on consecutive days.

“The toughest part about being a professional boxer is definitely the hard training sessions, strict dieting and dedication leading up to a fight. While all my mates are out having fun on the weekend, I am tucked away in bed preparing myself for the hard session at 5.00am in the morning,” Tim explains.

Boxing can provide both proud moments and sour moments. Tim nominates his first professional fight as the proudest moment in his boxing career to date: “I won the fight by knockout in the fifth round and I remember the standing ovation from the crowd when the referee stopped the fight.”

He believes he can be world champion one day and he is not going to let anything get in his way. Hard work leads to successful careers in boxing for many, and, if Tim can keep fighting and improving, no doubt he can reach his goal.

His love of boxing, however, takes a back seat when his favourite AFL footy team, the ‘black and white army’, are playing: “I am proud to say I go for Collingwood.”

When boxing and AFL are mentioned in the same conversation, many people wonder if Bulldogs player Barry Hall will venture into boxing after his footy career. Tim comments: “I haven’t yet had the chance to meet Barry Hall but I am sure he would be successful in any sport that he chose as he is a talented athlete who works extremely hard.”

We are lucky to have so many talented sportsmen and women residing in our local area.

For those interested in seeing Tim Hunt in future fights, tickets can be purchased at here.

* This was first published in the North West Melbourne News on Thursday, 9 December 2010.