Australia’s biggest boxing promoter says the Border’s latest sensation should win an Australian title.
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Shane ‘The Hitman’ Hasler knocked out Melbourne’s Andrew Young in just 73 seconds during his debut professional bout in the super middleweight division at the Melbourne Pavillion.
“It’s hard to tell on one fight, but I think he definitely should get an Australian title,” Big Time Boxing’s Brian Amatruda said.
“I know what talent looks like, his brother looked like a superstar and Shane looks very similar.”
Matt Hasler won his three professional bouts, two by knockout, before retiring.
“Before one of my (amateur) fights last year, I sparred with Matty and he was in my corner for my pro debut,” Shane Hasler said.
“It’s just good to have the experience of someone who’s been there.
“He kept me relaxed and gave me a bit of advice on what to do.
“We planned to have a look at him, and see what he’s got, and just work the jab.
“I caught him early, he jumped back and shook his head, I saw an opening and jumped straight on him, and put him away.”
Shane Hasler’s promising amateur career was derailed by a battle with cancer.
“The cancer attacked the adrenal glands,” he said.
“One of the tumours was pushing on my spinal cord and was causing nerve pain in the back.
“Then I had an ultrasound on my kidney, and that’s when they discovered that the main tumour was on my kidney.
“It was that big they couldn’t save the kidney, so they just took it out.”
Hasler had five tumours, the other four in the lower abdomen.
“It was pretty tough, when I first got out of surgery, I couldn’t even walk around the hospital ward, I’d walk about 20 metres, and I’d have to turn around, and go back to bed and have a nap,” he said.
“But I had a dream run really and it was only eight months later that I was back inside the ring.”
Hasler had 11 amateur bouts post-cancer, for 10 wins, including an Australian title.
“Hopefully by winning this pro fight, I can secure some good sponsors and try and get away from work because by going full-time in the gym, the better I’ll be,” he said.
“I want to go as far as I can, the dream is to win a world title.”
Amatruda, who’s promoted bouts for Anthony Mundine and Danny Green, says he wouldn’t expect Hasler to fight for an Australian title until around his 10th bout.
“I know people are telling me that he’s very, very good, and that’s from other experienced boxing camps who’ve sparred and trained with him,” he said.
“They say he’s one of the hardest hitters they’ve sparred against ever.
“He lives and breathes the sport, he’s dedicated, he’s got the talent, and he’s got the professional outfit which can take him all the way.
“Shane is a big puncher, that’s the type the people want, the Rocky Balboa, that stands and fights.”