At a time when the headlines are too often filled with despair about youth crime and injustice in our communities, it's more important than ever to elevate the stories of strength, discipline, and resilience — especially those led by our young Black men.
One of those stories belongs to Brenton Watts, a proud 25-year-old originally from Mpartnwe/Alice Springs, who is showing the next generation that it's possible to rise above, chase your dreams, and carry your community with you.
Brenton's journey hasn't been easy. Like many young men from Central Australia, he grew up surrounded by social challenges and community pressures. But instead of falling into the cycle that traps too many, Brenton found a different path — one forged in sweat, struggle, and self-discipline.
"I moved to Adelaide in 2016," he shares. "Graduated in 2017. I had no family there — that was tough. But it kept me away from all the trouble I could've ended up in back home."
At 19, Brenton picked up a pair of boxing gloves — and they changed the trajectory of his life. What started as a way to stay fit quickly became a purpose, a calling, and a platform. Boxing gave him structure. It gave him pride. And most importantly, it gave him vision.
Now based in Darwin, Brenton has returned to the Top End to be closer to family and to continue his career — not just in sport, but in community and leadership. All the while, he trains as an elite boxer, laser-focused on the opportunity of a lifetime.
In just two weeks, from May 28–31, Brenton will compete at the 2025 World Selection Event at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. It's a national showdown, where only the top two fighters from each state are invited to compete over four days. The winner? They go on to represent Australia at the Men's World Boxing Championships in Liverpool this September.
"To represent your country — that's what every boxer dreams of," Brenton says. "It's one of the biggest achievements you can earn, so I'm working hard every day to make that a reality."
But Brenton's story is bigger than boxing. He is quietly becoming the kind of role model our young men need right now. He's proving that you can leave the chaos behind and walk toward something better. That discipline and drive can be just as powerful as protest. That you don't have to be perfect to lead — you just have to show up and keep going.
In a national conversation dominated by deficits, Brenton is an asset. He's not just fighting in the ring — he's fighting to shift the narrative. And that fight matters.
Because when one of us rises, we all rise.
Let's get behind him. Let's cheer for him. And let's make sure our boys see that they are more than the system says they are — they are champions in the making.
Good luck in Canberra, Brenton. Your mob is behind you.
