The Hardman will challenge reigning Australian welterweight champion Rivan Cesaire at Rumours International with Cesaire’s National belt on the line.
“I achieved a dream result winning the Queensland title last year and now I can achieve an even bigger dream if I can win the Australian title,” Hilt said.
“I feel very fortunate to just be able to fight for the Australian title, It’s a real honour.
“Hopefully I can win it and I’ll be giving it my best shot to win it.
“Rivan is an outstanding boxer with loads of experience and it won’t be easy, but I will be ready come July 22.
“Huge thanks to my manager Brendon Smith for making this happen and my trainer Craig Monagle for all the hard work to get me here.
“I was a late starter into the sport so I don’t want to waste any time or opportunities.
“I’ve been building towards this and now I have my shot.
Rivan Cesaire has held the National welterweight title since 2014. in a twenty fight career he’s recorded fourteen wins, five losses and one draw.
Even more impressive he’s only had two losses in his last fourteen bouts – one to Jeff Horn and the other to Lenny Zapavigna. Horn is about to fight Manny Pacquiao while Zappavigna is currently 35-3, world rated and campaigning in the USA.
“Rivan is classed as one of the very best boxers in the country,” Hilt’s Manager and event promoter Brendon Smith said.
“This is an exciting main event to announce for our July 22 card TGW & Smithy bring the big fights 17.
“This is a huge fight for Toowoomba and a huge fight for Jamie Hilt.
“Jamie and his trainer Craig expressed a strong desire to want to fight for the Australian title and now they have their wish.
“Rivan accepted the challenge so now we have a great domestic showdown for the greatest prize in Australian boxing.
“Rivan has been the champion since 2014 so this belt means a lot to him.
“Equally I know what this opportunity means to Jamie Hilt.
“Jamie is the current Queensland champion and has been beaten just once in an eight fight career and earned his shot at the National title.
“Jamie has a huge following in Toowoomba and will have a big supporter base but Rivan has no fears about travelling to the Garden City and defending his belt.
“It’s a great fight for both boxers but it’s also a great fight for the fans.”
It’s been a meteoric rise for Jamie Hilt. After a successful rugby league career the Hardman turned his hand to boxing in 2015 at thirty five years of age.
Two years later and Hilt has eight fights under his belt, a Queensland title and now a shot at an Australian title.
“This is a very hard fight for Jamie,” Trainer Craig Monagle said.
“However its a task that he is willing to step up to and I know that Jamie will be more than ready for it.
“We will leave no stone unturned in the gym.
“Jamie is the ultimate pro, he knows what needs to be done to get ready for this fight and he will do it.
“We have a great little team and we will all work together and Jamie will be at his best come July 22.”
