Coming to the Mooroopna-based gym as part of its Indigenous program, the proud Yorta Yorta teenager immediately caught the eye of head trainer Zedda Harrington, with his determination and natural athleticism he produced immediate results in Melbourne.
But the Golden Gloves was a chance for the 16-year-old to take his talent to the national stage and announce himself as a budding star of the future.
And he did just that, producing two stunning wins to be dubbed the Golden Gloves champion.
An achievement his trainer described as “one of the biggest things that has happened to boxing in the region for years”, Boland said it was surreal to return home with the crown.
“It was an absolute ripper, I absolutely loved the experience up there in Queensland and to win made it all the more special,” Boland said.
“I felt I really warmed my way into the event, I boxed really well and came home with the wind in that last fight which was great.
“I will take a lot out of the experience moving forward and to be the Golden Gloves champion it is a great feeling.”
Cruising through to the semi-final stage, Boland would be met by Gladstone fighter Te Rori Waters Shelton in what as an epic battle.
Battling it out over three hard-fought rounds, the Goulburn Valley fighter would take the fight on a points decision, setting up a bout with Queensland’s Adrian Molten-Wolf in the final.
Carrying all the momentum from his epic semi-final win, Boland produced two solid rounds to start, before he delivered a devastating final round blow to put his opponent on the canvas and win the tournament.
Boland reflected on those final two fights and how he developed as the event progressed.
“The first fight (against Te Rori Waters Shelton) was tough as, he had four to five kilograms on me, but I just stuck the jab in his face and he couldn’t deal with it, which allowed me to come home strong in the last round,” he said.
“And then in the final it was really good, he looked a bit taller than when I first saw him and the nerves were there, but I kept my head screwed on and did the job.
“I worked hard in the first two rounds, banked the points, and then came home strong with the wind.”
What made the victory all the more sweet for Boland was the hard work it took to get to that point, with the young talent facing numerous hurdles such as dog bites and opposition fighters pulling out in the past few months.
“There were a lot of late nights, sore mornings and tough training sessions in the lead up to this fight,” Boland said.
“But all that hard work made me ready for what my opposition would bring to the table, and to bring this title back to GV Boxing and all my family and friends, it is amazing.”
GV Boxing head trainer Harrington was beaming with pride following the achievement of his fighter, and said it was one of the highlight’s of his coaching career.
“I won Golden Gloves in 2003 and Silver Gloves tournament in 2006 under Kyabram coach John Thompson. To now have trained Golden Glove champions is pretty special,” Harrington said.
“We have had members of the community stop in at the gym and congratulate us, saying it’s the biggest thing that’s happened for the sport in the town for many years, huge buzz around the place, which is fantastic.”
Boland wasn’t the only GV Boxing Academy export to strut his stuff at the Golden Gloves event, with fellow local Marcus Turner also representing the gym.
Turner also claimed victory in his division, toppling Queenslander William Fraser in the first round before defeating Ryder Brooks in a unanimous decision in the final.
Boland is scheduled to fight again on September 11 against undefeated Riek Chuol, while Turner will fight against Rahnz Ruiz next up at Burwood, a fighter who is two years his senior.
