POWER-PUNCHING Torres Strait Islander Thomas Warria fulfilled a long-term dream to become a professional boxer and won his debut bout in Townsville on February 15.

The only other pro bout was a curtain-raiser before the main event in which Palm Island boxer Patrick Clarke lost a close decision on points to Moranbah’s Charlie Bell.

A big crowd packed into Townsville Quayside Terminal beside Ross Creek for the popular Battle at the Port pro-am tournament. It featured the two professional bouts and 13 amateur fights on the packed card. Thomas defeated Bundaberg’s Ricky Bowles-Brown by a third-round TKO decision in the main event, the heavyweight division.

The bout was scheduled over four/three-minute rounds, and the referee ended it when…