“I still consider it home”: The reason Sonny continues to roll with the punches
Michael Walters finds himself drawn back to the Midland boxing gym he joined when he was six years old for more reasons than just the workouts.
On a Tuesday night in November, Michael Walters is killing it on the pads at his hometown boxing gym. Local six-year-old Chase is looking up to the Fremantle star, and he is in his element.
Clad in the Wally Bates Memorial Boxing Club’s blue and gold colors, the trimmer Walters has found career-best fitness ahead of his 16th season, just two months into an off-season boxing regimen.
But it’s more than just the exercises that keep the goalie coming back to the boxing gym in Midland that he joined when he was just six years old. What motivates him is assisting in demonstrating to neighborhood youth like Chase that he is proud of his background and that they, too, can achieve their goals.
“One thing that draws me back here is seeing all the little children. After a recent session at the Midland Police and Community Youth Centre, where the club is based, Walters told AFL.com.au, “I feel like I can be a really good role model here and inspire these kids.”
Being able to come to the gym and be in an environment where they are encouraged to work hard and be healthy has a huge impact on these kids.
“My parents made it easy for my brother and me to grow up; it wasn’t a difficult upbringing. However, I want to demonstrate to people that you can achieve your goals no matter where you’re from—Midland or any other suburb. You have the ability to achieve anything in life.
In an attempt to increase his durability as a senior player, Walters shed seven kilograms during the off-season. He has celebrated Midland on the field for the last two seasons by making the letter ‘M’ with his hands after each goal he kicks.
The children at the boxing club, which has played a significant role in the Midland community for over 30 years and changed the lives of many young people, are now copying it.
AFL players who have benefited from it include Bobby Hill, the winner of the Norm Smith Medal, Stephen Coniglio of Greater Western Sydney, Nic Naitanui, the former Eagles champion, and Liam Henry, the winger for St Kilda.
The Wally Bates Memorial Boxing Club was established in 1988 by four brothers, Bevan, Graham, Garry, and Alan O’Donnell. Bates was a respected local boxer, World War II soldier, coach, referee, and judge during his career. Bates passed away in 1975, and the brothers wanted to honor their mentor by passing on his values of self-discipline, respect, and self-worth.
Running on the generosity of the O’Donnells and other volunteers, the gym has maintained its accessibility for all families while maintaining a family-friendly focus. For over 30 years, it has charged $2 per night, with all proceeds going toward awards and equipment.
He imparted numerous life skills to us. “What he taught us, he was very strict about only using inside the ring. I work with community departments and children’s courts to give local youth a place at Wally Bates where they can fit in,” Bevan, a local policeman, said.
We all began boxing at the PCYC, and we just wanted to uphold his reputation.
“Our motto for our singlets is ‘You’ve got nothing to prove to anybody, but to yourself,’ as Wally always said.
The gym is so beneficial to Midland that, after reading a submission about its good effects on the community, which included a reference from Walters, the local council decided to charge $1 per year to use its soon-to-be renovated facilities.
One member who benefited from the club showing him there was another path than the one he was choosing as a teenager was Corey Pollard, the former state boxing champion whom Walters looked up to as a young child in the gym.
“I started with the guys when I was 12, but then got a bit older and got in a bit of trouble,” said Pollard.
“At the age of seventeen, I returned and declared, ‘I want to get in the ring, teach me properly. I’m tired of getting into trouble every other weekend.'” Before they were satisfied that I could manage myself, they made me train hard for a year. If I hadn’t started, I would most likely be in much worse shape.
“My oldest daughter loves boxing and will do it with me whenever she can now that she’s older and I’ve returned. Numerous older guys are returning with their children in tow.”
Driving an hour each way, Walters passes through up to twelve different boxing clubs on his way to the O’Donnells, who are highly regarded for teaching the foundations of the sport.
It is no accident that Gary Ingraham, a lifelong Fremantle boxing coach, believes he is the best Freo Docker he has seen in the gloves in over 20 years. Bevan notices that Walters and another Australian football star have similar boxing styles.
“Maurice Rioli boxed here as well back in his South Fremantle days and it was the same hand speed,” O’Donnell remarked, emphasizing how Walters’ boxing fitness has allowed him to continue participating in matches throughout his career.
“In football, you get to participate in the action as well as get a breather. That is not possible in boxing, and it has greatly benefited him.
“In boxing, you’re always competing against him, and he’s making second, third, and fourth attempts. He always wants to participate in the football game because that is what we teach him to do in boxing.”
Walters, who inked a two-year contract extension that runs through the end of 2025, started tapering back his boxing workouts as part of his pre-season program and rejoined Fremantle’s first- to fourth-year players early in the preseason.
But the 2019 All-Australian has no intention of quitting training at Wally Bates once his career is over and staying in shape isn’t necessary for his job.
“Even though I don’t live in the area now, I still see it as home, and I definitely owe a lot to this boxing club,” he stated.
“Throughout my career, they have assisted me in staying in shape despite my numerous injuries. They are always willing to assist me.
“I’ll keep coming here for a long time, even after my career is done, because there’s a lot of young kids here and I want to show them I’m still around and proud of Midland and where I’m from.”
