By Callum Ludwig
Following his elimination fight victory at the Fitlife Boxing Club in Ferntree Gully, Healesville boxer Christopher Hume has qualified for a Masters Boxing state title bout against James Stewart on Wednesday 8 June.
Masters Boxing in Victoria is the category for boxers over 34 years of age, with competitions for varying weight ranges. Fighters must be within a ten-year age range of one another.
Hume is 2-0 in competitive fights, having won his first fight by technical knockout (TKO) and the elimination fight on 5 March on points.
Hume said his elimination bout was a more tactical display, and he expects the same of the state title fight.
“I played it smart, moving in and moving out and getting my left hand out there and picking him off with it before he could do anything about it,” he said.
“The tactics and smarts will be put down on the canvas over the next two-three months of training leading up to June. I’ve worked a lot on my footwork and technique to keep the flow going and the spontaneous explosions of attack will get this fight over the line.”
Hume said that boxing has run in his family, and he is grateful for the immense support he has received.
“Boxing is in my family’s blood. It comes down the line from my ankles, down to my father, then my brother’s down to my cousins, including Dwight Ritchie who passed away in 2019 after fighting Tim Tszyu.” he said.
Dwight Ritchie was a proud Yorta Yorta man and boxer who died at the age of 27 on 9 November 2019. He collapsed in a sparring session with Michael Zerafa in preparation for Zerafa’s rematch against former welterweight titleholder Jeff Horn. He died of a heart attack, three months after just losing to Tszyu in the International Boxing Federation Australasian super welterweight title.
Hume is a Men’s Health and Cultural Wellbeing Coordinator at Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place in Croydon, working in seven local government areas including the Yarra Ranges.
His connection to country, family, and businesses in the Yarra Ranges means he has a lot of support from the community. Businesses like Sideshow, NAB, TSG, and other shops in Healesville are backing Hume in the lead up to June.
Hume is aiming to win the state title and open up a small boxing gym and art space in Healesville, expanding upon the sessions he currently runs out of his garage for seven local young fellas to keep them settled in and out of trouble in partnership with Victoria Police.
