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Brisbane boxer Ben Kite has turned New Farm Park's popular rotunda into his new ring and completed an incredible running feat as he eyes a competitive return.
A mind boggling running challenge and relocated sparring sessions in Brisbane's New Farm Park rotunda are keeping Ben Kite ready for a boxing chance he thinks is overdue.
The Australian welterweight boasts an 11-fight winning streak stretching back to 2016 and has twice defended the WBF Asia-Pacific and ANBF Australasian titles he first captured in March last year.
Kicked out of his Fortitude Boxing Gym because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 29-year-old was quick to find a new gym in the usually bustling park.
And he added a running challenge to his regimen inspired by former Navy Seal and fitness freak David Goggins.
In an around-the-clock endurance feat that will leave you scratching your head, Kite this week clocked 6.5km every four hours for 48 hours, running a total of 78km between Wednesday and Friday.
"I just thought it'd be something good to do while we're all staying at home," Kite nonchalantly told AAP.
"I'm feeling pretty good honestly; deciding to stop was the hard part but enough running, time for some fighting now."
His extraordinary efforts are strategic, with Kite sensing an opportunity to propel his career internationally once boxing resumes.
Australia's only official contender for Welsh boxer Chris Jenkins' Commonwealth welterweight title, Kite has reached out to challenge him later this year.
"We see the shut down as an opportunity for us to get bigger fights when things come back on," he said.
"A lot of guys will be looking for what's supposed to be a tune-up fight, but if we stay ready we can get the call up and cause the upset.
"I've put the call out (to Jenkins) and hopefully he jumps on it and we can finish out the year with something big."
Kite's last outing was a memorable one, headlining at the new Fortitude Music Hall in a unanimous belt defence over Ben Savva that made it 15 wins from his last 17 fights.
"I think now's sort of the time for me; I've fought the best in my division in the country, sort of cleared out the division and earnt the right to challenge overseas and make a bigger name for myself," he said.
