General News
17 July, 2026
Hodgson Vale’s own Queensland boxing representatives
Brothers Cristian and Marcus McCarthy and coach Brett Richardson made their way from their home gym in Hodgson Vale to Brisbane last week to compete (and coach) for Queensland in the National Championships.
It was particularly special for coach Brett “Richo” Richardson to watch charges Cristian and Marcus compete for Queensland as their father, was one of Brett’s former students.
“Yeah it’s really exciting. It’s an achievement in itself to have the next gen getting amongst it,” Brett said at his gym, ‘Richo’s Gym’, in Hodgson Vale.
As for as his students’ performances, Brett was stoked,
“Very happy, that was the big stage. Best of the best. Like its the cream of the crop,” Brett said.
For Cristian it was a tough but worthy experience.
“A lot more experience, they’ve been competing at that level for like three five years and we’ve been doing it one year. So it’s was kind of hard,” Cristian, who came 3rd overall, said.
Marcus enjoyed the atmosphere.
“Heaps of energy, lots of cheers,” he said.
Having come sixth, Marcus was happy to be amongst it, but is focusing on where he can improve.
“I could work a lot more on throwing punches, a lot more jabs and faints than just when I had them, I should have also thrown some more combos,” he said.
“They’re out to win and that’s just what you need to do,” the young boxer said.
There’s no doubt that there is a bright future again for these boxers and their coach.
Their next fight is on the 25th of July in Brisbane.
