AN 18-month break from the sport doesn't seem to have dulled young Wauchope boxer Jundumarra Layton's skill in the ring.
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Wauchope High School student Jundumarra, now 15, was 13 when he scored a bronze medal at the Australian Junior Boxing Championships in Adelaide in 2013.
Following that event his father Jimmy wanted Jundumarra to take some time off from boxing and "just be a kid" for a while. Which he did.
But the urge was still there and this year he began pressuring his father, who is his coach, to let him start competing again.
So after about three months' training - which started out at a building in the Wauchope Showground and then moved to an unused area at the Bunyah Aboriginal Land Council - Jundumarra got back into the ring at two major events.
At the end of August he competed in the Golden Gloves Championships in Queensland, where he won his category, becoming Australian Golden Gloves champion in the Junior 46-48kg, 15-16 year grade C group.
Then a week later he repeated the performance, winning his category at the Novice NSW State Titles (48-50kg, grade C, 15-16 years and juniors).
He won both titles convincingly, stopping his opponents and leaving little doubt about the outcomes.
Jundumarra says he "missed boxing" during his lay-off and that he enjoys the competition and "likes being in the ring" and the company of other young boxers.
Jundumarra, Jimmy and other family members cleared out an area at the Land Council headquarters and erected a makeshift boxing ring and bags for him to train with, so he's definitely keen on the sport.
Now in year 9 at school, Jundumarra looks to have a bright future in the ring.