Rizzeri said his fighters left all they had in the ring and fought on despite facing opposition with more experience.

Promising junior pugilist Alan Burns had to contend not only with a more fancied opponent, but also a late change of schedule.

“Our very own AJ Burns was originally only scheduled to fight in a exhibition due to fitness problems,” Rizzeri said.

“But he demonstrated the heart of a lion by taking on newly crowned NSW and Queensland state champion Nick Keher, if AJ was fit he would have knocked him out instead of it being a close decision.”

Newcomer Jack Simpson avenged Burns’ loss by beating James Kinsella with good footwork and fast hands.

Troy Riggs and Joel Hester were not able to be matched and faced off against each other in an exhibition fight.

Despite training together under Rizzeri both fighters didn’t hold back as they looked to impress the large crowd.

One of Rizzeri’s big hopes, Hiki Loseli, was scheduled for an exhibition fight on the road back from a shoulder operation, but opponent Patrick Bourke came out swinging and took the fight to the Griffith boxer.

“Bourke had other ideas turning it into a hard slugfest, but Hiki soon took control with clever movements and superior boxing,” he said.

“It was really good to see Hiki back.”

But the most controversial fight of the night involved Griffith’s Brett Staines and former army boxer Lloyd Harris, with both fighters being disqualified.

“In the first round Harris charged Brett and kept him on the defensive. Brett’s fitness was going to be the telling factor,” Rizzeri said.

“Brett came out in the second and unloaded some explosive bombs, landing a right that caught Harris on the chin and dropping him for a count of eight.

“Both boxers were warned for untidy tactics and Brett put a standing eight count on him and was on his way to a knockout win when an accidental blow to the back of the head warranted a warning.”

Rizzeri said both boxers rested on the ropes during breaks in the action with the referee disqualifying both fighters with minimal warnings given.

“Brett was the obvious winner and he can only learn from his experience,” Rizzeri said.