Dillon Zammit has transformed his life – mostly from inside a boxing ring.
In the words of his mum, Sophie, the 18-year-old was a “wild child” not so long ago, but he now proclaims to be a gentleman.
“I’ve change my life around 360 degrees,” Zammit said. “All the people I used to hang around with wouldn’t recognise me now from the changes I’ve made. I’ve gone from being a gutter rat to a gentleman.”
Zammit can’t thank his family enough.
Mum Sophie, dad Tony and brothers Daniel, Manny and Robert never gave up on him.
But a second family has been just as important in Zammit’s transformation – the Ellis clan and particularly boxing champion Lester Ellis.
“Mentally, physically, everything they do for me, I’m just grateful for it,” Zammit said. “They give me clothes and feed me – they do everything for me.”
Ellis has taken Zammit into his Taylors Hill gym and focused all the latter’s energy on boxing.
Zammit it a boxing nut, constantly watching fights from around the world and sparring in his backyard gym.
His own ability with the gloves on is becoming ever more apparent.
His dream is to emulate the feats of Ellis, the fights of whom he studies.
“I’ve seen them all,” Zammit said of Ellis’s professional boxing collection, which includes 49 fights for a 41-8 record.
“He is a big inspiration, considering where he’s come from and his background story and what he’s been though throughout his life.
“I had a bit of a similar growing up pattern. It’s an inspiration to see someone go from nothing to the best in the world.”
The Truganina resident could be about to make a sharp ascent to a professional career.
Sophie reads much into the Ellis esteem of her son.
“Lester is no chump – he’s a five-time world title holder and he’s seen a lot of potential in Dillon in his ability,” she said.
“He wants Dillon to do a couple of amateurs and then he wants him to go for the Victorian title and after that the Australian title. From there, he wants him to turn pro and that could happen by early next year.”
Zammit, who idolised Mike Tyson growing up, will leave no stone unturned in his quest to get to the top.
He trains hard six days to week and studies fighters from around the world.
“Mentally, you have to be strong … that’s one of the hardest aspects of it, to be honest,” Zammit said. “You don’t go out on the weekends, you don’t see friends – you just stay at home and get your rest, eat the right foods and do what you’ve got to do.”
In the ring – whether it be sparring with a five-time world champion or mucking around with his younger brothers – is where Zammit feels most comfortable.
“When I’m in the ring, sparring, it’s like a weight lifting off my shoulders,” he said.
“I feel like I was born to do it, just get in there and get into it.
“I want to become a fighter. I’m determined to be the best and I’m just working my way up. Hopefully I can get there as soon as I can.”
