44 I GEELONG ADVERTISER, TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2013

www.geelonginfo.com

Kristys top trip

ALEX OATES GEELONG boxer Kristy Harris says she has returned from an international training camp a better boxer. Harris, who spent almost eight weeks competing in training camps and tournaments in Russia, Germany, Poland and Bulgaria, said she has taken another step forward in her rising career. I feel really good, said Harris, who collected three wins from six fights. My fitness has definitely gone up after spending the entire time training and boxing overseas. The reigning Australian 51kg champion contested three tournaments, the first in Germany where she achieved mixed results in the Stralsund Cup. The 20-year-old then travelled to Poland to compete in the Silesian Cup, progressing straight to the semifinals courtesy of a bye. I fought Lisa Whitehouse, who is very experienced, and I lost, but I was just happy to hold my own, Harris said. Lisa went on to win the whole tournament. Harris returned to Germany for the final tournament, the Queens Cup, which attracted 17 fighters in her division. The 20-yearold defeated Tabea Muller by TKO in the second round and won a unanimous decision against Frances Mona Mestian. Harriss winning run came to an end at the hands of Italys Terry Gordini, an experienced competitor with 192 fights and 151 wins. She clearly beat me, but she has won a silver medal in the worlds, and she went on to win the tournament, so I wasnt disappointed with that, Harris said. Harris went to Europe with two girls from New South Wales and the national boxing coach. The trio, who competed in the 51, 60 and 75kg weight divisions respectively, were selected as part of the Australian Boxing Academy after impressing in a week-long training camp with the AIS. They (Boxing Australia) want to improve our boxers and the best way to do that is to fight internationally because its a step above, Harris said. This has really prepared us for the Commonwealth Games. Harris will now turn her attention to the state titles, which start this weekend at the Reggio Club in Brunswick and runs on November 10 and 24, and December 8 and 23.

Georges crushing UFC loss

ALEX OATES GEELONG fighter George Sotiropoulos has slumped to his fourth successive defeat in the UFC, losing to American KJ Noons. Sotiropoulos went down in a unanimous decision at UFC 166, losing 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 at Houstons Toyota Center on Sunday. In a fight that was widely regarded as make-or-break for the two fighters, who each entered the bout on the back of a three-fight losing streak, Noons snared his first win in the UFC octagon and condemned Sotiropoulos to what is likely to be a career-crushing defeat. But the decision wasnt without controversy, with the Geelong jiu jitsu practitioner dominating two of the three rounds. Noons threw a flurry of punches to clinch the points late in the opening round, with 21 significant strikes to Sotiropouloss six. Sotiropoulos responded in the second round, landing a series of jabs. He scored the first takedown of the fight, though Noons made his way back to his feet and the pair traded blows. Sotiropoulos won the significant strikes in the third and final round, 24-21, but a big punch from Noons opened up a big cut over his opponents right eye and left him wobbling.

THREE WINS: Kristy Harris has been competing in training camps and tournaments in Europe.

Photo: MITCH BEAR

YOUR GEELONG CUP GUIDE

ONLY INSIDE TOMORROWS GEELONG ADVERTISER.
Find your complete form guide, odds, latest racing and betting news and more in the 12-page Geelong Cup guide.

2107881G-5DB43

MAIN