Australian champion and three-time Golden Gloves winner Josh Fitzpatrick probably should be flying overseas for the upcoming world junior boxing championships.
But they won’t let him.
Too small and too young, they say.
But super talented all the same.
The son of Sutherland PCYC trainer Sean Fitzpatrick and a year 7 Engadine High School student, Josh doesn’t turn 14 until December, and doesn’t yet weight 46 kilograms.
Like other promising young NSW boxers, he’s had to travel outside the state to take part in contests due to the state’s amateur boxing rules prohibiting boxing bouts for under 14s in NSW.
Josh won his first Golden Gloves interstate in the tiny 34-36 kilogram division after only his second bout two years ago.
He followed up last year with victory in the 26 kilogram-38 kilogram division before beating his Queensland opponent in the 40-42 kilogram elite level last weekend in Brisbane.
Also this year Josh took out the 38 kilogram Australian title in February in Adelaide and won the Trans Tasman Cup in the 40 kilogram division in Burnie Tasmania, where his NSW team also proved victorious.
Ironically, while laws prevent him representing Australia right now, he is forced to train with bigger and older boys at Sutherland PCYC, like 52 kilogram Sam Goodwin, won won a silver medal only last week.
‘‘I love boxing and my dad (and fellow trainer) Brendan Cannon give me plenty of encouragement,’’ said Josh.
‘‘At least after December I’ll be able to fight more in my own state.
‘‘I’d love to represent Australia at the Olympics one day, but fist I’m aiming to fight in the big World Ringside Championships in the US.’’
Sean Fitzpatrick said of his son: ‘‘He’s a national champion who can’t fight at the state titles in September. But look out after December when he turns 14!"
