Boxer brings home world title in boilover

Port Kennedy boxing coach Dean Timms can remember the day Louisa Hawton first walked into his gym like it was yesterday.

In the three years since that day, his star pupil has gone from beginner to world champion.

The former Mandurah resident returned from Japan last week with the World Boxing Organisation light-flyweight belt.

“When I met her, I knew straight away she would do well,” Timms said.

“After only three weeks of training, she decided she wanted her first fight.

“I tried to talk her out of it but she knew what she wanted to do and took everything I had taught her and turned it into a win.”

Although Hawton now trains in her Kardinya home gym and under the guidance of former Australian middleweight boxing champion Mark Janssen, she remains close with Timms and the Fitness Fight Complex family.

“Dean built my foundations and gave me a good work ethic,” she said.

“He helped me focus on my fitness and I always come back when I can.”

Hawton defeated hometown favourite Kei Takenaka in 10 rounds on August 20.

“It was a good fight and an epic experience,” she said.

“After the first couple of rounds I was pretty domin-ant, although she had a lot of heart and did not want to go down. It was a major up-set for Japan as she was 11-0.

“They knew it would be a tough fight but I don’t think they expected me to win because I came up two weight divisions and I am a lot shorter.”

The mother-of-two completed a six-week fight camp in preparation for the world title bout, training three times a day.

“It was pretty full on,” she said. “I needed to build on my strength. Since coming home I am straight back into it.

“People ask me if I want to have a rest but I have only just begun.

“I hope to defend the title in Australia before the end of the year if everything comes together.

“This win was just the first step.”

Timms was full of praise for his friend and student and said he took great pride in following her success. “Louisa is kind and helpful and has a nice heart,” he said.

“She laughs and smiles when she fights but her attack doesn’t laugh or smile.

“I developed her to be a hard hitter and to use her speed and agility.

“It doesn’t matter who Louisa comes up against — she has her own magic which she brings every time.”