The former Hunter Sports High School student who was in the rugby league program left school at the end of last year to work with his uncle as a builder’s labourer.

At the same time he took up boxing seriously under the guidance of his father Greg Tindall who has the boxing gym at Paterson Sportsground.

“He had been coming with me to the boxing gym when I first started it in 2000,” Greg said.

“But boxing wasn’t his thing.  He was more interested in athletics and would get his fitness at the gym.

“But it all changed 18 months ago when he said he wanted to concentrate on the sport.

“I could see he had potential but just had to wait until he was ready.”

Blake made his debut last year at the Golden Gloves competition in Brisbane just six months after taking up the sport seriously.

He fought in the 81 kilogram division which was still his rugby league weight.

A special diet and exercise regime saw him drop to 75kg which is his current fighting weight.

“At the end of June he fought at the Queensland novice titles in the 75kg youth division,” Greg said.

“He won the Friday night bout against Brayden Burns who is from the Tallebudgera Boxing Gym and then fought Massimo Loprete on Sunday afternoon.

“Loprete trains at the Stretton Boxing Club where Geoff Horn and silver medallist from last year’s Commonwealth Games Joe Goodall also trains.

“Blake came home with a gold medal from the bout which was a great effort.”

Seventeen-year-old Blake now has his sights on the Golden Gloves which will be held next month in Brisbane.

“I have a bit of competition experience so I am hoping to do better than last year,” he said.

“I train four nights a week with dad and my brother John works on my conditioning.

“It was pretty special to bring home gold at the novice titles and I am hoping I can do the same this year at the Golden Gloves.”