The Shepparton-based siblings represented Team Victoria in its two-day showdown with Boxing New Zealand in Tauranga on September 5-6, earning selection following their gold-medal performances at the national championships.
While New Zealand edged the overall contest 21-20, Victoria claimed the junior honours 11-7 to take home the Trans-Tasman junior shield.
Goulburn Valley Boxing Academy coach and the brothers’ father Zedda Harrington said the opportunity was another important step in their development.
“After nationals, after the boys won gold, the Boxing Victoria committee have a meeting for their next international trips and they select a Victorian team,” Harrington said.
“Urijah and Isaiah got the call-up and that was on the fifth and sixth of September in Tauranga, New Zealand.
“They both had two fights and they both came out with a win.”
The brothers remarkably finished with identical records, albeit achieving their victories in reverse order.
Isaiah opened with a third-round stoppage on day one before earning a unanimous points victory on day two.
Urijah secured a unanimous decision in his opening bout before producing a dominant second-day display, with his opponent’s corner throwing in the towel during the third round.
“They got exactly the same results, just on different days,” Harrington said.
“They both showed really good sportsmanship.”
The trip also provided valuable experience away from the ring, with early starts and lengthy travel to weigh-ins testing the youngsters.
Harrington believes learning to handle those demands will be invaluable if the brothers continue progressing internationally.
“Everything that we’re doing is all about a building process,” he said.
“They’re going really, really well at the moment, but we’re realistic with the sport.
“They always keep level-headed. They always have an understanding of the work that’s required.”
Their New Zealand success adds to a stellar year against Australian and international opposition.
Urijah remains a bottom-age junior, but has already defeated older opponents, while Isaiah has tested himself against boxers from England, Fiji and New Zealand.
“It just builds confidence being in the ring and knowing you can hold your own against other people outside Australia,” Harrington said.
“The wins are just a bonus.”
The brothers will next head to Canberra after being invited to an Indigenous camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, with Harrington also attending as a coach.
“We’ll just keep looking to get our names out, nominate for tournaments,” he said.
“If we get them, we get them. If we don’t, we’ll just keep grafting in the gym and keep working away until we get the call-up.”
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