Beaudesert boxer Clay Waterman brings home a bronze medal

The Beaudesert-born amateur boxer showed professionalism and humility throughout the competition –acknowledging that he was there to get a job done but still taking the time to chat with fans after his fights. 

After winning his first bout against Scotland’s Sean Lazzerini on March 9, Waterman went on to secure his place in the semi-finals with a win against Zambia’s Mbachi Kaonga and a guaranteed bronze medal.

Waterman said the semi-final fight was a close one.

“It could have gone either way,” he said.

“But in the end the Welshman won and although there were a couple of little things I could have done better it was a learning experience for me.”

Waterman said the end goal for his amateur boxing career was to make it to the Olympic Games in 2020.

“For now, I’m going to take a well-earned break from boxing to switch off for a while and hang out with family and friends before I start training in preparation for more trials and the World Championships at the end of the year,” he said.

“But I honestly can’t wait to go home and sleep in my own bed.

“I have only been home once or twice in the last 10 weeks.”

Waterman said a visit to Beaudesert was also on the cards for his immediate future as he had accepted an invitation to appear as a guest at Scenic Rim Regional Council’s Story Time in the Park event at Jubilee Park on April 24.

“I said yes to that a couple of months ago,” he said.

“Now I can take the medal there so the kids can see it – it’s not the gold but it is awesome and quite heavy.”

Waterman’s mother Anita Harrison said her son was generous with younger fans, always stopping to chat or have selfies taken with them.

“He had a lovely message from a grandfather during the Commonwealth Games, thanking him for taking the time for his grandsons and making their day,” she said.

“It was so great how many people from Beaudesert came up to him at the Games too.”