Sport
10 November, 2025
Big fight night packs a punch
THE ‘sweet science” of boxing returned to Port Douglas, on Saturday 1 November at the Reef Raiders Rugby Union Club Grounds, part of the Port Douglas Sports Complex.
The Port Douglas fight night, organised by the Craiglie-based Force Boxing Academy, proved to be a great success after previous similar events in 2021 and 2022 at the same location.
These original events were organised by Danny Buzza, who at the time was running a boxing gym in Cooya Beach.
More recently, Danny’s son Lachy set up the academy, back in February of this year and has followed in the footsteps of his Dad very successfully. Lachy Buzza has always had a huge passion for boxing, mainly coming from his Dad.
Danny Buzza has three Queensland heavyweight titles and an Australian super cruiserweight title under, or should I say ‘on’ his belt, and since then the former professional has been giving back to the sport that is his passion.
He moved to Cooya Beach nearly 20 years ago, near to where his father was born in Mossman.
Since then, he has coached junior rugby league and then started boxing training originally from the family garage, before setting up from a shop in Mossman. With the help of wife Megan, they then moved into the Cooya Beach complex where they remained for a couple of years.
Since retiring, Danny always wanted to host his own boxing tournament, especially in Douglas Shire, where his father was born. The ex-pro is now very proud to see his son promoting the sport in Far North Queensland.
The fight night had nine different bouts with all fights scheduled for three rounds each of two minutes duration.
With fine weather providing a dry night for this outdoor event, the evening proved a great success with hundreds of spectators gathering for the quality competition in the ring.
Ready to take on the local boxers from the local academy, competitors ventured up from Babinda, Cairns and Smithfield and they certainly provided some stiff competition.
After their appearances in the ring, all boxers agreed that the event was fantastic and would be eager to compete in similar competitions in the future.
Lachy Buzza hinted that there would definitely be plans for more events in the Douglas Shire and hopes to soon announce a bigger and better ‘fight night’ sometime next year.
The Force Boxing Academy in Craiglie offers a number of opportunities for boxing fans of all ages and skill levels.
This includes kids boxing, teens boxing, boxercise and fitness classes, beginner and intermediate programs, advanced boxing, one-on-one personal training, optional sparring sessions and pathways to competition.
Having had a great night myself, I’m now off to try some sparring, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
