mmg.com.au

Shepparton’s Cameron Pegg survived a five-round war with Albury’s Drew Quirk to claim the World Kickboxing Association East Coast Australian junior welterweight title on Saturday night.

Quirk not only had the hometown support at the Albury SS&A Club, but a slight weight advantage over 26-year-old Pegg.

Pegg’s majority points triumph, which improved his fight record to 10 wins, one draw and one loss, followed his maiden Victorian title in Shepparton in August.

‘‘The fight itself was a lot better (than the one he claimed the state title in), which makes it a bit more of a step up,’’ Pegg said.

‘‘He’s a lot bigger than me and I’ve never had someone hit me as hard as he hit me.

‘‘I just covered up and tried to grapple with him. It came down to technique and I got him with a good spinning back elbow, but the whole fight was tight right to the end.’’

Pegg was sick in the lead up to the bout and battled lethargy and a headache as late as fight night, but he ‘‘pushed himself’’ instead of withdrawing.

He is already locked into a Victorian title defence against Richard Fanous on his coach Mat Reid’s next show at Shepparton’s GV Hotel on April 29.

‘‘I’m going to try and get another fight before the one at the GV, because it’s good to have a relaxing fight — something not so built up — beforehand,’’ Pegg said.

‘‘It’s something I want to organise, maybe two months before, but I will have a little bit of a break (in the next few weeks) and keep the fitness up.

‘‘I will at least keep my weight down.’’

Pegg thanked Reid for his support and put a call out for anyone interested in sponsoring him.

‘‘It’d be great if there was anyone out there who could help me with some sponsorship,’’ Pegg said.

‘‘There is nothing really around and you don’t get much (prizemoney).

‘‘It’s a bit hard with work as well, because you can’t really be 100 per cent committed to work or training.’’