By Hannah McNamara
Mackay is becoming the epitome of regional talent after celebrating the rise of 24-year-old Lachlan Stitt, now crowned the Welterweight Boxing Champion of 2024.
Known in the ring as 'Deadshot,' Lachlan achieved a remarkable knockout victory at the recent EternalMMA event held on the Gold Coast.
Despite now residing in Sydney, Lachlan fondly acknowledges Mackay as his hometown and points his beginnings in combat sports to his early days playing karate and footy at the age of 14. His journey into mixed martial arts began in 2015 at Mackay MMA and since relocating to Sydney in 2016, he has continued to hone his skills at the same gym.
Reflecting on his recent victory, Lachlan recalls the intensity of facing a seasoned opponent with significantly more fight experience and international training credentials.
"It was a crazy experience," he admits, "facing such a tough opponent made me nervous, but I believed in my skillset and that belief showed on the night."
Driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement, Lachlan approaches each training session with a dedication to honing his skills in striking, wrestling and jujitsu. For Lachlan, training isn't just about preparing for his next fight, but rather a continuous journey of self-discovery and mastery.
"I enjoy the process of getting better every day," he shares.
"For me, it's about striving for that 1% improvement in everything I do.
“I'm always seeking out challenges and I’m never satisfied with just being mediocre, I want to be the best welterweight in the world."
Offering words of encouragement to aspiring athletes, Lachlan emphasises that dedication and hard work are foundational to success in all areas of life. He believes wholeheartedly in the principle that consistent effort and perseverance are key ingredients to achieving your goals.
"Just give it a go," he says.
"Where you come from doesn't define you.
“Coming from a small town like Mackay, I moved to Sydney and dedicated myself to my sport so anything is possible if you're willing to put in the effort and push your limits."
“You can become the best in the country or even in the world, but it’s up to you because you put your own limit on yourself,” he remarked.
Lachlan's success from regional beginnings to becoming a welterweight champion has been a powerful reminder in the community of the talent and potential that lies within every determined mindset, every passion, and every dream in the hearts of those who were born and raised in the Mackay region.
“Anything can happen and I’m the living product of that.”
24-year-old Lachlan Stitt from Mackay recently took home the title of Welterweight Champion at the EternalMMA showdown in the GoldCoast. Images supplied
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