Barotillo Bombers Boxing Gym in North Rocks continues to go from strength to strength, with several of their fighters making boxing history while one of them has qualified for next month’s Commonwealth Games.
Since it opened many years ago the gym, located on Loyalty Road, has been run by Arnel Barotillo, who moved from the Philippines to Sydney in the early ‘90s so he could take his fighting career to the next level.
After training with boxing legends Johnny Lewis and Jeff Fenech, Barotillo became an Australian Champion and IBF Intercontinental Champion himself, and even rose to number one in the world.
Following his retirement from the ring, the local father wanted to give back to the sport that gave him so much, training the next generation of boxing talent.
Under the now 52-year-old’s watchful eye, Barotillo Bombers Boxing Gym is currently enjoying a golden run of success with one athlete set to make his Commonwealth Games debut next month for Australia.
“Paul Trainor has qualified to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This will be his first Commonwealth Games,” Barotillo proudly told Parra News from Prague.
“I believe Paul can do well in Glasgow. As a coach, you have to be confident in your fighters.”
Trainor isn’t Barotillo’s only success story of late, with female boxer Tash Flint also making history. Flint became the first-ever Australian woman to become World Amateur Champion at the 2025 World Championships.
“Tash was the first in history to become the World Amateur Champion – that’s a big result,” the Oatlands resident said.
Also impressing on the big stage was Marcel Tahhan, who won the Australian Youth title last year at just 14-years-old – becoming the youngest champion Barotillo Bombers Boxing Gym has ever had. While professional fighter Jayden Buan became NSW State Champion following his State Title fight last year.
“They all work hard and when they work hard, they get the result,” Barotillo said.
“The secret to their success is all of them putting in the hard work. It’s not about me. I’m only there to guide them. The rest is down to them.”
Barotillo will spend the next six weeks in Europe training and supporting his fighters in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
“I’m happy… there’s nothing much more I can ask for,” he concluded.
Nathan Taylor is Parra News' sports journalist. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked in western Sydney media for more than a decade.