SPONSORSHIP - SHANE DOULMAN

WHILE most of Sydney involved themselves in the theatre of the weekend Storm-Eels rugby league grand final, one former footballer continued training for himself and his two daughters. Shane Doulman rose at 4am to train, then undertook his regular 100-kilometre round trip, working as a storeman. There's no money in amateur boxing but because it is the sport he loves, Doulman was back sparring in his Lyon's Den Gym at Kingsgrove. At 4pm. As former Manly star John Hopoate found out on the weekend, Doulman is only one punch away from losing. Or winning. The 190-centimetre boxer fights in the ``big boys'' division the super heavyweight at the NSW Boxing Championships, which will be being held at Brighton Fishermans Club from Friday week, October 16.

At 111 kilograms, Doulman is big but he won't be the biggest. "In fact he was losing too much weight to fellow competitors, through his training,'' said his concerned Kingsgrove trainer, Joe Laferla. "We've had to watch that because Shane was putting so much into his preparation, the weight was just dropping off him.''

Born and bred in Kingsgrove, Doulman was a member of The Grove team which won the 2007 A-grade St George Junior League premiership. When the club and then the A-grade division disbanded, Doulman put his energies into boxing training. In a division where the slightest defensive error can prove most costly, Doulman has maintained a slight edge on the win-loss ledger (6-5). To improve, Doulman has sparred the highly-rated Soloman Haumano on numerous occasions. Johnny Lewis, Haumono's trainer, was impressed with Doulman's speed for a big man. And toughness. But the tough man weakens slightly, revealing a break-up with his partner has also cost him precious time with their daughters Kiah, 11, and Klaire, 9. "It is hard not being able to see them as much as I want to,'' said Doulman, in between another rugged weekend session. "Kiah, especially, has enjoyed coming to the gym with me but I have promised my two beautiful girls that Dad will win the state title.''

While manager Ryan Asplet's company, Fighting Fit Logistics, provides Doulman with training gear and protein powders, Asplet said they need urgent sponsorship if Doulman was to go on and turn professional. And, ideally, cut out those 100-kilometre daily trips. "Look, Shane has done it tough but he doesn't want to quit,'' said Asplet. "The ring actually offers him a bright future and if he wins the state titles and turns pro he could fight the likes of [former league forward] Jason Williams as a starter.'' Any local business interested in helping the Doulman team can call 0413 775 668.