HASTINGS’ boxer Shelley Watts has made a bruising mark on history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Laurieton boxer was awarded Australia’s first boxing Commonwealth Games gold medal when she defeated India’s Laishram Devi in the lightweight category.
Watts realised the gravity of her achievement after the fight but admitted it still hadn’t quite sunk in.
“It’s pretty amazing to go down in the history books to be the first Australian lightweight representative at the Commonwealth Games,” she said in an interview after the fight.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet that this gold medal will go down in history even more. It’s amazing.”
Watts didn’t have the fight all her way though, her opponent came out firing in the first round landing a couple of big shots early.
But Watts steamed home and won in a unanimous decision.
As the Hastings fighter walked out to the ring commentators called her “the pride of Laurieton”.
And her family said she is just that.
Watts’ uncle, Anthony, said the support from the community had been unbelievable.
“The schools she went to, the pub she worked at have all had signs and balloons out the front wishing her well and congratulating her,” he said. “It’s still sinking in for her, she’s been on the verge of tears a couple times and she’s pulled back a bit.
“She’s never one to be cocky when she was talking to Michael (her father) she just kept saying ‘it was good, it was a good fight dad’.”
As for talk of going to the Rio Olympic Games in two years time, Anthony said Watts hadn't made her mind up yet.
“It’s a big decision she’s going to have to make,” he said. “But she doesn't take decisions lightly, she’ll have to defer her studies if she decides on going to Rio.”