Local boxing stars Max Reeves and Blake Wells are set to return to the ring on the Gold Coast on Wednesday, August 26.
The Bairnsdale pair will feature on a high-profile card headlined by undefeated super welterweights Nikita Tszyu and Ben Mahoney at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Reeves (13-1-1, 8 KOs) will square off against unbeaten New Zealander Oliver Frith (8-0, 7 KOs) in what promises to be a fiery light heavyweight clash.
Frith, 24, enters the bout following a successful amateur career and is making his Australian professional debut against his toughest opponent to date.
For 26-year-old Reeves, it is a classic Trans-Tasman showdown.
“I’ve been working hard, sparring against Blake Wells and Dominic Molinaro, and I’m pumped to be back in the ring on a great card,” Reeves said.
He said that he expects Frith to come forward and apply pressure from the opening bell.
Meanwhile, Wells (13-2, 5 KOs) faces a stern test against undefeated prospect Callum Peters (8-0, 7 KOs) for the vacant IBF Pacific middleweight title.
Wells is currently ranked 15th in the world, while the highly credentialed Peters boasts an impressive resume that includes a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and an appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I’ve been working hard and can’t wait to get in there and rumble,” Wells said.
“It will be a great fight — he had an exceptional amateur career.”
To prepare for the title tilt, Wells has been sparring with local teammates Molinaro and Reeves, as well as current Australian super middleweight champion Donald Jones.
Trainer Paul Carroll said he was eager to see both fighters perform on one of the country’s biggest stages.
“It’s another great opportunity to showcase these hugely talented locals on the big stage,” Carroll said.
“Both have been matched against quality opponents.”
Both boxers will complete their final training blocks in East Gippsland before flying out to the Gold Coast in the week leading up to the fights.
