THERE are more than a few Redlands louts who have learnt the hard way over the years that the nuggety little security bloke telling them to behave could handle himself.
Boxer Graeme Prowse has now formalised his reputation, by winning a world masters boxing belt at 61.
Along the way, he hauled in Queensland, WA, South Australian and national masters titles.
In February, Prowse arrived in Kansas City to take on the formerly undefeated US Masters champ in the 75kg division.
Redland City councillor Paul Gleeson said that three rounds later, the title was heading back to the Redlands.
Prowse had inflicted the first masters defeat on his New York opponent, winning each of the three rounds.
Prowse was modest in describing his victory: “I landed a few more on him than he did on me.”
At this week's first general council meeting of the year, Prowse was given an achievement award by Mayor Karen Williams.
Cr Williams said Prowse was known widely for his security work at many events.
He’s been a major figure in the Redlands Amateur Boxing Association for more than 30 years and has trained state and Australian champions and been a national coach, taking teams to international competition.
Cr Gleeson said although Prowse had won countless boxing titles himself, the world masters belt was his most prized possession.
"For Graeme national and now international fame has been a long time coming,'' Cr Gleeson said. "But for those who know what motivates him, it was probably inevitable that he tasted success at this elite level.
"While Graeme has collected plenty of boxing accolades at schoolboy, golden gloves, state and regional level over more than 50 years, the one thing that eluded him was the fact he’d never had the chance to win a national belt himself.
"That really hurt.''
Cr Gleeson said that three years ago and after a few years out of the sport, Prowse returned to serious training, with his target of winning a national title.
The fact he was approaching 60 was immaterial. He was fit, had run marathons and now that there were fights for him at his age he jumped straight back into the ring.
Prowse said he had trained thousands of fighters through the Redlands Amateur Boxing Association and once had 10 boxers all of whom were rated in the top five in Australia.
He also believed that no other Redlands boxer had managed to achieve what he had.
He hoped next to fight in a masters competition at the Gold Coast in July and then, if he had the money, will go to New York for another event.
Prowse said young men seeking to prove themselves remained a problem for security staff.
"They still try to take me on,'' he said. "I never go looking for it but if someone wants to start throwing punches, I've got to respond.''
Prowse does not like to spoil anyone's fun but if confrontation turns violent prefers to put trouble makers out of business as quickly as possible.
"I like to make sure that it's all over and done with in three or four punches. I don't like it to go on very long.''
