Many moments in life boil down to split decision moments, especially in the boxing ring.
When it goes against you, it can be easy to say woe is me, but not so for 14-year-old Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy wonder-fist Urijah Harrington, for whom it’s simply more fuel to the fire after a character-building two weeks competing in Queensland.
After jumping up an age bracket at the Sunshine Coast Regional Championships Tournament on March 22, Harrington drew a fellow national champion in the form of Queensland’s Max Cuthel.
With a belt on the line, their bout went the allotted three rounds as the two teenagers gave it everything, but the split decision was made two rounds to one in favour of Cuthel, according to the judges at Impact Boxing Club, Noosa.
A controversial decision for the young Shepparton boxer to accept after what many considered a winning performance, but one he faced with remarkable maturity for a 14-year-old.
"I was so gutted the first fight ... not only did I feel very low, I had to strap the belt around him," Harrington said.
"But you don't realise at the time, situations like this make you grow as a fighter; my dad (Zedda Harrington) said ‘next time we just have to be better,’ and that he was proud of what he had seen.
“We know what we’re up against."
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Urijah Harrington did his club proud in Queensland. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 4
Showing off the Queensland State Title medal. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 4
The 14-year-old boxing star putting his skills to the test. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 4
All smiles after coming away with a well-deserved title in Queensland. Photo by Rechelle ZammitJust a fortnight later, on Saturday, April 5, Harrington returned to Queensland to compete in the Novice State Titles at Brisbane's Eagles Sports Complex.
Harrington was forced to bide his time, but in his second bout against Cuthel, the Victorian made no mistake in a character-building performance, this time earning a majority decision from the judges and taking his record to 12-4.
The Queensland Title is another notch on the belt for Harrington, joining an Australian Schools Boxing Championships under-15 gong, Golden Gloves title and a First Nations Boxing Championships belt.
As the young Shepparton boxer's reputation continues to grow, what's next on his competitive agenda?
His eyes are set on South Australia, his next appearance coming at the Australian Club Championships from May 9-11 in South Australia at the Dom Polski Centre.