Cameron Jasper has a big boxing future ahead of him after winning the 75kg youth under 19 division of the 2012 Australian Championships.
His trainer Bob Burnell said the win was a fitting tribute to the work that Cameron had put in to the sport.
Cameron fought three, three minute rounds to win, getting off to a good start against the Northern Territory’s Jack Killingbeck, who was an Australian team member at the world juniors in 2011.
Burnell said Cameron started with great control and “caught Jack right on the chin with a short over hand right knocking Jack down and winning by T.K.O”.
He had received a bye in the first round, so the win against Killingbeck put him into the gold medal fight with Christopher Mustica, of Western Australia.
“The fight starts with Cameron using his left jab and setting his right hand up in the first round,” Burnell said.
That had Cameron leading by five points to four.
In the second round Burnell told Cameron to use hand speed and skip of with tight defence and skip back in with a one - two counter attack which worked great for Cameron, winning the second round, now leading 10 points to six going into the final round.
“I said to Cameron – great round you are leading by four points, Mustica will come at you with everything he has got, so throw straight punches down the middle and move off and let Mustica run into your punches,” Burnell said.
“The fight plan worked with Cameron boxing brilliantly and winning the fight 15 points to 11 points, and the gold medal to become the youth under 19 Australian Championship for 2012.”
“It was a proud moment for Port Pirie, Cameron, SA and Burnell's Boxing Gym.
“It was a great tribute for Arlee Kraus, who passed away one year to the day, February 4 last year.
“It was the saddest day of our lives.
“This year it was the happiest day of our lives but still very emotional with Arlee on our minds.
“Cameron and myself wore black arm bands in the final for respect for the anniversary off Arlee's passing.”
Burnell said the win was a deserved payoff for the hard work Cameron had put in travelling down to Adelaide for State training for eight weeks.
He also sparred with professional Adelaide boxer Mick Herman once a week for the last six weeks.
“ It really picked Cameron's defence up which helped him go along way to win gold,” Burnell said.
Cameron thanked trainer Bill Burnell for the time and effort he spent with him, Brooka from the Port rooms for getting him up to scratch with a few niggley injuries and Jamie Cole who run him down to State training and sparring.”
Burnell said it had been a five year progess from when Cameron first walked into the gym and started training as a 12-year-old.
“When Cameron started sparring and was getting the better of the lads who had been in the gym for two years, it showed me from that moment he has got a lot of heart and potential,” Burnell said.
“I said ‘this lad has got something’, not many people could see that.
“Myself and Bill always believed in Cameron's ability, heart, dedication and discipline.
“The sacrifices this lad has been through is a damm credit and something we all should be proud of, especially his family who gives Cameron the most important thing in life and that’s love.
“That is the best support a child can have.
“Cameron has a huge future in the sport of boxing.”
Looking forward Cameron will be a likely started for the 2012 world youth titles - something to fit in while studying year 12 and seeking work in child care.
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