Regional champion Ash Roach

Thirty-year-old Roach sent Wilson to the canvas in the first and second rounds before the referee called it off following a further knock down in the third round. Both boxers weighed in at 76kg in the 78kg division.

An employee at Riverlea, Roach has been a Corowa resident for about two years and been in the sport for some 18 months, being trained by Adam McKinna at the Corowa Golf Club.

But in recent months, Roach has worked extremely hard in the gym with his training. “Ash has been very disciplined and changed his approach to the sport – he’s been outstanding. I haven’t seen a kid improve so much so quickly,” he told The Free Press.

A former regional boxing titleholder himself, McKinna has been coaching boxing for 15 years.

“Massive congratulations to Ash for getting the title, his preparation was perfect, and so was the result,” McKinna, 47, he said.

“It was also a super effort to my second in the corner ‘Uncle Ray’ (Barrett) for making the long trip to help us in the corner! I can’t wait to work with him in the gym in the future!

“Enormous respect to ‘Wilso’ (Ash’s opponent). He was the first to congratulate Ash and I spoke at length with him post bout. You genuinely do meet the most humble people through combat sports, you’re a warrior John and a real gentleman.”

McKinna praised organisers and the big crowd of approximately 1,000 people. “Everyone from Hurricane Combat Sports that contributed their time to the operation of this event should be commended for what people in the crowd thought was the best fight night locally ever.”

Both trainer and boxer loved the ‘Go Ash’ fan crowd in attendance. “Ash and I spoke moments prior to the fight about the positive power generated by their support, and I know it contributed to his performance,” McKinna said.

The trainer recalled the early days coaching Roach. “Ashley commenced training with us approximately 15 months ago. He was overweight, had long dreadlocks but had a pleasant manner,” McKinna said.

“I failed to talk him out of competing after just two weeks of training and his result was not in his favour. He made a second attempt at victory at a show in Albury within a month and though he had improved the result was much the same.

“Ashley then decided he would commit himself to training and development before he competed.

“He is a very mature and humble person and his commitment to preparation is amongst the best I’ve seen. “

With the disappearance of the dreadlocks and weight loss, Roach returned to competition “fit for war” according to McKinna. “His next challenge was in Lilydale and his training was evident in his victory. He continued to improve and moved up from novice to amateur ranks competing in Narrandera against a local hero in an extremely tough bout. Ashley was fortunate to walk away the victor of that bout and was even more determined to improve for the next.”

McKinna is so proud of his newly titled super middleweight pupil. “I cannot say enough positive things about the way that Ashley conducts himself both at the club and in the ring, He’s extraordinarily tough, hits very hard, works harder than most and is a very positive influence amongst all the other members of our club. (Corowa Combat Sports).”

Preparation has begun for Roach’s upcoming bouts in Melbourne, Wagga Wagga and hopefully a shot at a national title in Gosford in November.