Night of the Black Stars rocks the Block

The ‘House Full’ sign went up at the Bigtop tent on Black Friday night as Aboriginal Boxing, basketball and culture made a triumphant return to the Aboriginal heartland of Redfern with the first ‘Night of the Black Stars’.

A crowd of over 1000 crammed into the bigtop at the Block to watch a night of Aboriginal tent boxing as the stars of tomorrow linked with the stars of today and yesterday. The Aboriginal fighters won five out of the seven fights but each bout was evenly contested, a tribute to the matchmakers Paul Toweel and Pat Kennedy.

In the amateurs, 16-year-old Queensland state champion Campbell Cobbo Riley showed off his silky skills and Nathan Carroll, Paulie West, Terry Roberts and Jason Morris all starred. In the professionals Joey Williams showed heart and power to overcome spirited kickboxer Adam King on points and Glebe’s Edgar ‘Brown Sugar’ Wymarra showed his impressive skills after a slow start to unanimously defeat tough Filipino Jurland Ceniza over six action-packed rounds that had the crowd on their feet.

Aboriginal boxing and sport identities were out in force including Anthony and Tony Mundine, Artie Beetson, Michael O’Loughlin, Robbie Peden, George Bracken, Wally Carr, Adam Goodes and Bob Mirovic.

Aboriginal cultural performances included Idol winner Casey Donovan and rising talent Nellie Dargan.

Alex Wymarra, Head of the Indigenous Sports Academy, was thrilled with the night ‘The rain was pouring in, the lights gave us trouble but we brought boxing back to the Block in a big way,’ he said.

‘We had to turn people away and those that were inside were treated to fantastic fights featuring our warriors, some with heart, some with skill, some with both. The room was pumping with Aboriginal pride and what a way to celebrate the anniversary of the Apology.’