Pit Bull Returns To Ring With Revitalised Clout

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday October 10, 2002

By MIKE GANDON

After a seven-month lay-off, a revitalised Wade ``Pit Bull" Clout returns to the ring against Queenslander Dale Hawke at the Fraternity Club tomorrow night.

This contest marks the start of a busy pre-Christmas campaign for Clout.

Clout has accepted a shot at the Oceania Boxing Association title in New Caledonia next week, followed by a contest against Stephen Marks in Melbourne on November 8, and Tasmanian Paul Coppleman on November 26.

The hard-hitting Clout had been scheduled to fight Coppleman on Friday night but the Tasmanian withdrew from the bout as he had done on previous occasions.

``I'm going from a quiet start to the year to a real busy end of the year," Clout said.

Clout's last fight was a loss to James Swan at the Fraternity Club in March.

He learned a lot from the experience and earned praise from Swan who has had an illustrious career as an amateur as well as a professional.

With Clout's trainer, former Australian middleweight champion Vito Gaudiosi attending the NSW Police Academy, his assistant at Crocker's Gymnasium, Clayton Wall, and conditioner, Dave Taylor, have been helping Vito prepare the ``Pit Bull" for his latest campaign.

Ross Clout of Box-O-Rama Promotions and matchmaker Paul Toweel have assembled a competitive pro-am card with the emphasis on providing opportunities for local boxers.

Fairy Meadow's promising lightweight Jason Arena, who trains at the Kostya Tszyu Academy, will fight experienced Victorian Darren Miller in the main preliminary contest.

Bellambi's Damien James faces a tough professional debut against the wily Damien Loader who is a difficult opponent.

James was one of the best amateur boxers in the country in the late 1990s along with his brother, Ashley.

In a junior lightweight contest, Jung Ming, formerly of South Korea and now of Sydney, will take on journeyman David Picknell.

The amateur card will feature Wollongong rough rider and heavyweight prospect Michael Soltys and three boxers from Crocker's Gymnasium on debut, Larry Booker (57kg), 15, Mark Blinksell (65kg), 17, and engineering student Shane Bellow (78kg), 19.