“I want to keep talent active” Tony Tolj talks Thunderdome 46
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Story: Lewis Moss
After an electric first show back in March, Dragon Fire Promotions takes to Metro City once again for Thunderdome 46.
The show will feature an all action main event, as Aussie Steve Gago (13-2) looks to continue his winning ways when he takes on China’s Aketelieke Jieensi (13-4-3) for the WBC Australasian Welterweight Title.
Other exciting Australian prospects will take the card, including Joel Lewis (4-0) and Ryan Daye (3-0) who both look to remain undefeated.
Since his defeat to Liam Paro back in 2021, Steve Gago has been relatively inactive in the boxing landscape, this was until March 2023 when he defeated Rivo Kundimang by a fourth-round knockout.
Just over one year later, Gago has his eyes set on a WBC title when he takes on Aketelieke Jieensi.
When speaking to DragonFire Promoter Tony Tolj, he ensured that Jieensi would be no easy walkover for the Aussie.
“I think [Jieensi] is Steve’s toughest test to date” Tolj stated, “that’s what Steve wants at this stage of his career.
“Especially fighting for a WBC Regional title those fights are never easy, Steve wants to test himself and I truly believe that Jieensi is the guy to bring the best out of him.
“Steve is definitely going to get solid rounds in, I know this fight is going to be fireworks from when that bell sounds, he wants to take his career another level and taking this fight is the perfect way to see if he is up to that next level.”
Earlier into the night Ryan Daye and Jack Briggs will battle for the WA State Middleweight Title.
Daye has been a standout in Perth’s boxing scene since his debut back in 2022, racking up an undefeated record of three wins and no losses, two of those victories came inside the distance.
Although Daye’s opponent Jack Briggs is making his professional boxing debut, he has an extensive record in kickboxing. As a head trainer of Lucas Browne’s Big Daddy Boxing Gym, he is definitely worthy of the enticing challenge that awaits him.
“[Jack Briggs] has done a lot of amazing things in the kickboxing world” Tolj revealed.
“He trains at the same gym as Lucas Browne and he is rated very highly, and we know Lucas has a great reputation in Australian combat sports. The fight between him and Ryan Daye will be an absolute war.
“I think they match up really well, you won’t want to miss it.”
Further down the card, Perth native Joel Lewis looks to remain undefeated when he takes on Zixiang Wang.
Lewis made his professional boxing debut in June of last year, since then has remained active having four fights in nine months. Impressively, coming out victorious in every encounter.
After a highlight reel knockout win in his last showing, Lewis made the eye-opening decision to move down to Light Welterweight despite winning a state championship in the division above.
Tolj revealed that Lewis made this decision just to simply dip his toes in a new weight class after not having to cut much to make the Welterweight limit.
“He was actually walking on weight a couple of weeks before the last fight,” Tolj revealed.
“So as a group, we made a decision to test the waters at [Light Welterweight], he’s really knuckled down and been putting in the extra yards in training.
“I think this process is going well and he is looking like a new man, I know that the preparations are on track to make a statement victory.”
Lewis along with Gago and Daye all train at Big Rigs Boxing gym, which has proven to be the premier boxing gym of Western Australia with yet another one of their fighters is set to make their pro debuts.
Josh Bryne is set to make is debut on the undercard when he takes on Mitchell Arnold. Tolj said that Bryne is most definitely a fighter to look out for in the Aussie boxing scene.
“[Bryne is] an exciting kid, he’s got a lot of talent” Tolj said.
“You can always expect fireworks, he always comes to fight and in sparring he’s been lighting up the gym.
“We have really high hopes for him, he has looked amazing in the gym sparring the likes of Steve Gago as well.”
“We’re really excited for him to kick on, so keep your eye on him in the future.”
With the second fight card approaching, DragonFire Promotions looks to top their five-star card back in February, by once again showcasing the best talent Perth has to offer.
But for his future goals, Tolj is determined to give his prospects more opportunities throughout the year.
“I want to keep talent active, step up the level of opponents and further their career” Tolj revealed.
“I don’t want it to be restricted to fighting on these shows, I’d also like to see these guys stay active and develop.
“Once a good opportunity comes up they can be fit, ready and take that opportunity with both hands.
After an electric first show back in March, Dragon Fire Promotions takes to Metro City once again for Thunderdome 46.
The show will feature an all action main event, as Aussie Steve Gago (13-2) looks to continue his winning ways when he takes on China’s Aketelieke Jieensi (13-4-3) for the WBC Australasian Welterweight Title.
Other exciting Australian prospects will take the card, including Joel Lewis (4-0) and Ryan Daye (3-0) who both look to remain undefeated.
Since his defeat to Liam Paro back in 2021, Steve Gago has been relatively inactive in the boxing landscape, this was until March 2023 when he defeated Rivo Kundimang by a fourth-round knockout.
Just over one year later, Gago has his eyes set on a WBC title when he takes on Aketelieke Jieensi.
When speaking to DragonFire Promoter Tony Tolj, he ensured that Jieensi would be no easy walkover for the Aussie.
“I think [Jieensi] is Steve’s toughest test to date” Tolj stated, “that’s what Steve wants at this stage of his career.
“Especially fighting for a WBC Regional title those fights are never easy, Steve wants to test himself and I truly believe that Jieensi is the guy to bring the best out of him.
“Steve is definitely going to get solid rounds in, I know this fight is going to be fireworks from when that bell sounds, he wants to take his career another level and taking this fight is the perfect way to see if he is up to that next level.”
Earlier into the night Ryan Daye and Jack Briggs will battle for the WA State Middleweight Title.
Daye has been a standout in Perth’s boxing scene since his debut back in 2022, racking up an undefeated record of three wins and no losses, two of those victories came inside the distance.
Although Daye’s opponent Jack Briggs is making his professional boxing debut, he has an extensive record in kickboxing. As a head trainer of Lucas Browne’s Big Daddy Boxing Gym, he is definitely worthy of the enticing challenge that awaits him.
“[Jack Briggs] has done a lot of amazing things in the kickboxing world” Tolj revealed.
“He trains at the same gym as Lucas Browne and he is rated very highly, and we know Lucas has a great reputation in Australian combat sports. The fight between him and Ryan Daye will be an absolute war.
“I think they match up really well, you won’t want to miss it.”
Further down the card, Perth native Joel Lewis looks to remain undefeated when he takes on Zixiang Wang.
Lewis made his professional boxing debut in June of last year, since then has remained active having four fights in nine months. Impressively, coming out victorious in every encounter.
After a highlight reel knockout win in his last showing, Lewis made the eye-opening decision to move down to Light Welterweight despite winning a state championship in the division above.
Tolj revealed that Lewis made this decision just to simply dip his toes in a new weight class after not having to cut much to make the Welterweight limit.
“He was actually walking on weight a couple of weeks before the last fight,” Tolj revealed.
“So as a group, we made a decision to test the waters at [Light Welterweight], he’s really knuckled down and been putting in the extra yards in training.
“I think this process is going well and he is looking like a new man, I know that the preparations are on track to make a statement victory.”
Lewis along with Gago and Daye all train at Big Rigs Boxing gym, which has proven to be the premier boxing gym of Western Australia with yet another one of their fighters is set to make their pro debuts.
Josh Bryne is set to make is debut on the undercard when he takes on Mitchell Arnold. Tolj said that Bryne is most definitely a fighter to look out for in the Aussie boxing scene.
“[Bryne is] an exciting kid, he’s got a lot of talent” Tolj said.
“You can always expect fireworks, he always comes to fight and in sparring he’s been lighting up the gym.
“We have really high hopes for him, he has looked amazing in the gym sparring the likes of Steve Gago as well.”
“We’re really excited for him to kick on, so keep your eye on him in the future.”
With the second fight card approaching, DragonFire Promotions looks to top their five-star card back in February, by once again showcasing the best talent Perth has to offer.
But for his future goals, Tolj is determined to give his prospects more opportunities throughout the year.
“I want to keep talent active, step up the level of opponents and further their career” Tolj revealed.
“I don’t want it to be restricted to fighting on these shows, I’d also like to see these guys stay active and develop.
“Once a good opportunity comes up they can be fit, ready and take that opportunity with both hands.