Stratford boxing superstar Max Reeves returned to ring in devastating style last Saturday night at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne, with the referee stopping the fight in the very first round.
Reeves was delighted to retain his Australian Super Middleweight title in dramatic fashion over New South Wales boxer Abdul Abdulrahman, whose impressive record counted for little when he stepped into the
ring with the quietly spoken and mild mannered Reeves.
There was plenty of hype around Abdulrahman’s 15 win and one loss record, including 11 victories by knockout but it stood for little once the bell sounded.
A problem with the boxing ring delayed the action with some urgent maintenance required, Reeves had to wait around longer than expected, but he wasted no time getting the job done in brutal style.
Abdulrahman hit the canvas twice in just 160 seconds after brutal body blows, which have become an important part of the
Reeves’ armoury.
The challenger climbed up after the first count 70 seconds into the contest, but he wasn’t interested in continuing after the second thunderous blow – a powerful left to the kidneys from a clinch.
Reeves recently turned 25 and was glad to get the opportunity to fight after the trouble with the ring structure early in the evening.
“It was great to get in there, after mixed emotions earlier with what might happen (with the ring). I got him early, then instinct kicked in wanting to get the job done,”
Reeves said.
His Bairnsdale-based trainer Paul Carroll was again in awe of his prodigy.
“He’s just so professional and leaves no stone unturned, he’s punching harder and the world is his oyster,” Carroll said.
Reeves has worked hard over the past 18 months on his strength and conditioning and it is obvious to all when he climbs in the ring – an imposing proposition with his brute size at super middleweight with punches that are getting harder and more dangerous all
the time.
Reeves’ only defeat through his 14-fight professional career came in June 2024 when he went down to the rugged Tonga Tongotongo, fighting as a light heavyweight, a fight he was well ahead on points before the referee stopped the fight after a huge sixth round
from Tongotongo.
Plenty of hard work has been put in by Reeves since then including camps with the unbeaten Jai Opetaia and the Tszyus, as well as working diligently under the tutelage of the highly-respected Carroll.
Last Saturday evening’s event was put on by former local world champion Will Tomlinson’s Wildfighter brand, with a large contingent of Reeves fans in the audience.
Reeves will be looking to return to the ring towards the end of the year.
