SPORT
Nathan Merritt merits title shot by Greg Martin
Queenslander , Liam Paro , has established a stellar career at the boxing caper , firstly as an amateur and since 2016 , throwing leather in the professional ranks .
As a lilywhite , Paro was good enough to win an Australian title after which the super lightweight boxer turned professional and has since racked up 24 wins on the trot , including 15 bouts by the short route .
His past three outings have been in front of big audiences in the United States , the latest a six-round KO of Montana Love in a WBO Global Super Lightweight clash .
Paro ’ s only defeat as an amateur was at the hands of the classy Nathan “ Meteor ” Merritt , formerly out of Yass and now domiciled in South Windsor .
The exploits of Paro have Australian fight fans excited because the 27-yearold Merritt has made a belated decision to throw punches for a round or two for a pound or two .
During an illustrious career in the amateurs , Merritt won a handful of state and national titles in both the junior and senior ranks .
Surely Paro ’ s amazing success as a professional swayed Merritt into joining him in getting paid for throwing leather !
Merritt posted a terrific amateur career , winning 29 of his 30 outings before losing his thirst for the game in his early 20s and hanging up the gloves .
“ But the love of the game was still there and gradually the fire to fight again returned ,” Merritt explained .
“ And during my time away from the sport , I followed Liam Paro ’ s burgeoning career which eventually persuaded me to return to the ring and see how far I could go .”
Merritt made his pro debut at Revesby RSL Club last October , posting an impressive debut , stopping the experienced Fijian , William Mel , in the fourth round .
Your writer stood gob smacked watching the featherweight go about his business during an arduous workout at Mark Hardman ’ s BoxFitt Gym at Windsor League Club . The young man can whack ! Mark Hardman put the southpaw through his paces whilst holding the pads , but such was the power Merritt was unleashing , he had to hoist the white flag after a few rounds and hand over the task to the boxer ’ s major sponsor , Peter Eather .
Peter is the founder and managing director of the earthmoving and wasteto-resource company , Eather Group .
“ Man-o-man , I just hope I can use a pen tomorrow ,” Peter laughed . “ He ’ s an exciting prospect , isn ’ t he !” Fight fans will get the opportunity to witness not only Merritt ’ s punching power but all-round boxing skills , when he fights South Australia ’ s promising Conner Read for the vacant Australian
Nathan Merritt thumps in a right cross and is about to unleash a thundering straight left into the pads . Doing the tough work manning the pads is the boxer ’ s main sponsor , Peter Eather . Photo : Kathryn Johnston .
Featherweight Championship in Adelaide on March 21 . Read will be a good test for Merritt . Following an illustrious amateur career in which he won a national and five states , Read has toed the line three times as a pro , for two wins and a narrow points decision loss ,
At his latest appearance , he posted a second round TKO victory over Broby Martin so he will go into the stoush with Merritt bristling with confidence .
2024 Western Sydney Veteran Golfers Interclub Series
The Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association began its 2024 interclub series at Richmond recently . Despite major storms the day before and pessimistic weather forecasts an almost full field of 141 teed off in a shotgun start . There was a bad storm late in the game , but most players finished although much wetter for the experience .
In the men ’ s 2BBB competition , the Dunheved combination of Greg Williams and Paul Gibbs managed to withstand the charge of Richmond pair , Fred Walshaw and Brian Holland on a countback – both pairs had 40 points .
In the ladies ’ teams ’ event , a mixed club pairing of Maggie Powell ( Richmond ) and Stevan Malesic ( Leonay ) also won on a countback , this time with 38 points , from Carmen Salkeld and Carolyn Lozier from the Richmond club .
Wallacia stalwart Peter Cromer hit form to win the men ’ s A grade event with 32 points , just ahead of a number of players on 31 . The low scores are an indication of the day with very little run after storms the previous afternoon . Despite the weather the course was very playable and well presented .
The men ’ s B and C grade competitions were dominated by Glenmore Heritage
Players of the Year Michael Harrison and Rita Grounder with their NSWVGA medals .
Glenmore veterans coordinator Bill Morris receives the Club of the Year trophy from WSRVGA president Les Knox ( L ) and Richmond Veterans ’ organiser Noel Byles ( R ).
Valley . In B grade Allan Bain ( 35 points ) finished just ahead of Peter Aroney ( 33 ), followed by a group on 31 . The C grade prize went to John Ross , also Glenmore , with 31 ahead of a group of players with 28 .
The ladies event was even closer with multiple countbacks just to decide the winners . Eventually Maggie Powell ( Richmond ) finished ahead of Carmen Salkeld ( Richmond ) and Maxine McNally ( Leonay ) and others – all with 28 points .
The much-prized team event is awarded to the club which has the highest total stableford score – however , only the
Glenmore Heritage Valley team members celebrate their 2023 Club of the Year victory with the Heritage Cup at Richmond Gold Club .
best four scores for each club are included . Glenmore defended their 2023 Club of the Year success with their combination of Alan Bain , Peter Aroney , John Ross and Keith Strathdee combining with creditable 130 total . Richmond ( 122 ), Dunheved ( 119 ) and Leonay ( 119 ) were not far behind . Champion recognised After the Richmond event the WSRVGA President , Les Knox , presented awards to the most successful players , and club from the 2023 season .
The Player of the Year awards , both male and female , are provided jointly by the NSW Veteran Golfers Association and Western Sydney Region VGA . Included are a medal , shirt , certificate and prizemoney . The men ’ s 2023 Player of the Year was Michael Harrison ( Richmond ) with
118 stableford points . Second was John Brown ( Penrith , 110 points ). These points are accrued over the seven away rounds a player is able to play – points gained on your won course do not count .
The ladies ’ points are calculated in the same way . Rita Grounder ( Richmond ) took out Player of the Year with 117 points , ahead of fellow Richmond member Lynette Luttinger ( 109 ).
The Club of the Year prize is calculated as the total of each club ’ s best four stableford scores at all eight interclub events – a total of the scores of 32 players ( probably a different four in each of the eight events ) over a period of 10 months . In 2023 Glenmore Heritage Valley ( 1152 points ) finished just ahead of Richmond ( 1149 ).
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 166 // MARCH 2024 35