By Karina Lay
NEON Boxing Academy has delivered a powerful statement at the 2026 Novice Titles, returning from the three-day Boxing Queensland tournament with eight gold medals, three silver medals, and clear evidence that the future is looking exceptionally bright for the Redland Bay based club.
Held at the Eagles Sports Complex in Mansfield, the event attracted more than 380 athletes and featured approximately 190 bouts across three action-packed days, making it one of the largest Novice tournaments in recent years.
Originally entering 15 athletes, one withdrew on medical advice prior to competition, leaving 14 fighters to represent Neon Boxing Academy, Redland Bay.
By Sunday’s final bell, Team Neon secured eight Gold – Novice Champions, three Silver – Novice runners-up, and two semi-finalists.
William “Two Guns” Turnbull (Under 13 – 50kg), in just his second fight, set the tone early.
The 12-year-old overwhelmed his opponent with high workrate, sharp combinations and relentless pressure to claim gold in dominant fashion.
Making his amateur debut, Xavier O’Neill (Under 17 – 52kg) stepped confidently into the ring, moved well, and listened closely to his corner to secure his first Novice Title.
Zahara “The Mad Cinderella” Lane (Elite Women – 65kg) faced a strong, physical opponent but controlled the exchanges to take the well-earned gold.
Heavyweight Alessandro “The Italian Stallion” Lella (Elite Men – 90+kg) showed technical maturity, and his clean scoring and ring control secured him the championship.
Samuel Delaney-Law (Elite Men – 70kg) delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament.
After defeating a crowd favourite in the quarter-finals with speed and power, he stopped his semi-final opponent inside Round 1, mere seconds after it commenced, before outclassing a tricky southpaw in the finals to take gold.
Maddox “Money Man” McGregor (Under 17 – 54kg) produced one of his most complete performances to date to secure his second Novice Title.
Super heavyweight debutant Taj Lier (Under 19 – 90+kg) built steadily through the rounds before taking control in the third and finishing with a TKO to claim gold.
Liam Crofts (Elite Men – 85kg) advanced via a last-minute walkover before delivering a clinical finals performance.
Against a capable opponent, he proved sharper in every exchange to secure the Novice title.
Cameron Austin (Elite Men – 65kg) dominated both his quarter and semi-final bouts before engaging in a middle-of-the-ring battle with an international opponent from New Caledonia in the final.
After an intense exchange of shots, he earned silver in a closely contested bout.
Madden Macaulay (Under 19’s – 60kg), in just his second fight, showed impressive composure in his semi-final, using trademark pressure to dominate before narrowly claiming silver after a competitive split-decision final.
Beyond the medal tally, Neon’s sportsmanship stood out.
