Boxing returned to town last month with Battle in the Bush 8, the first local fight night in four years, taking place at the Orange Showground.

For local fight gym Littlefield’s Boxing Orange this event is a real family affair with Dave Littlefield and son Finn both hoping to win interstate titles.

At the last boxing event in Orange back in November 2019 it was Finn’s older brother Jack Littlefield who featured in the main event while his father sat ringside. Recent health issues have kept Jack out of the ring and so this time around Jack has stepped into the role of trainer and fight promoter.

“Jack’s taken over the promoting role, he’s the official promoter and he’s got his promoter’s licence,” Dave Littlefield said.

“I’m fighting on his card and my other son Finn, he’s fighting on his card... and Jack is training us both so the roles are completely reversed. He’s the trainer and the promoter this time and matchmaker, so it’s a pretty unique situation fighting on your son’s card.”

For Dave, 45, the bout for the Interstate Master’s Welterweight Title (67kg) was the 34th fight of his 25-year-long career.

“For me, I’ve had multiple attempts at titles over the years. I’ve lost a couple of split decisions in Australian titles, but I won the state masters title earlier this year – Jack trained me for that – so this is the next step up for me as far as titles go,” Dave said.

"I’m fighting a guy from Victoria and he’s got a pretty good record, so we’ve all got pretty good fights.”

For Finn, who turned 18 the same week, it was his 20th amateur fight and his first shot at a title. He was facing a 33-year-old Tasmanian fighter for the Interstate light middleweight title (71 kg), but Finn’s not worried about the age difference.

“It’s going to be tough, a good challenge, but I spar people older than me and bigger, so it will be a good fight and a good show,” Finn said.

“I’m really excited for it and excited to fight in my hometown as well because I haven’t fought in Orange yet.”

Dave, too, has confidence in his son’s chances in the ring.

“He’s progressing really well and it’s a good situation,” he said. “Finn grew up watching his brother Jack and he’d come to the fights and watch him put in the hard work and Jack ended up winning multiple national amateur titles.

“Any success that comes out of Littlefield boxing has got a lot to do with that path Jack’s created.... this might sound a bit corny but, back in the day, I taught Jack how to win titles but he showed everyone firsthand how to win them.”

Jack may be the Littlefield with more fights and titles to his name, but it doesn’t mean he and Dave always see eye-to-eye when it comes to training for this fight.

“Having your son as trainer... we butt heads a bit sometimes, and he sees the other side of it, so it has been an interesting situation,” Dave said.

But I do listen to him, he reckons I don’t listen as much as I should and I’m a bit stubborn – and sometimes I tell him what to tell me,” he adds with a laugh.

Battle in the Bush 8 is a unique event for Orange. Along with the two interstate title fights, more than a dozen amateur bouts were scheduled, one professional boxing match, and the main event being a Muay Thai fight featuring Orange’s own world champion, Charlie Bubb.

“I think it will be a really good crowd, I can’t wait,” Jack Littlefield said.

“It’s really good to bring fighting back to the Central West.”