BROTHERS Daniel and Matt Ford, of Toronto, share a love of boxing, and a healthy sibling rivalry.
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So finding a willing opponent to practice on has never been a stretch for either of them.
"We have had some pretty heated sparring sessions at times over the years," the welterweight Daniel, 36, said.
"But we've never held grudges."
Matt, 33, a junior welterweight, will make his professional debut, fighting on the same card as Daniel, at Maitland Basketball Stadium, on Friday night, October 16.
The pair train under the tutelage of Shane Wells, of Westside Fighters, out of the Team Machine Boxing Club at Toronto.
Daniel faces a rematch with Abbas Makki, of Newcastle.
Daniel won a majority decision over Makki when the pair fought at Penrith in April this year.
"I thought I won pretty well, but he thought he'd been hard done by, and he really carried on," Daniel said.
"I've been fighting for 13 years, and he's the first guy I've fought who I'm not keen on."
Matt, meanwhile, faces some challenges in his bout with Beau Callaghan of Taree.
"Beau's taller than me, so he'll have the reach advantage, he's an experienced fighter, and I've had to go up two weight divisions for this fight to 63.5 kilos," Daniel said.
"But I don't have to diet, and he does."
A former Northern NSW and Australian amateur title holder, Matt said he planned to box smart.
■ The main bout will see Toronto's Blake Minto, 22, the owner of the Team Machine Boxing Club, challenge Michael Correa for the vacant NSW junior welterweight belt. See our preview next week.
Bring your sons
DANIEL Ford admits that when he was a youth he didn’t always make the right choices, but boxing proved to be his salvation.
The training and discipline helped to set him straight.
That, and being in an environment with better role models, authority figures, and sometimes even mentors.
‘‘The biggest goal we have here at Blake’s gym [Team Machine Boxing Club] is to be a place that locals can bring their sons,’’ he said.
Young men don’t have to be aspiring boxers to train at the gym.
But if they are interested in pulling on the gloves, they’ll be coached and kept safe, he said.
The importance of school, education and self-discipline were emphasised at the gym, he said.
■ Team Machine Boxing Club is at 12 Nicholson Street, Toronto. Phone 0401224667.
