How a rugby league fan that idolises Johnathan Thurston ended up on the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul undercard

Dana Coolwell once aspired to play NRL and took up boxing for extra fitness, now the Queenslander who grew up idolising Johnathan Thurston is set to box globally on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul undercard. 

Dana Coolwell, a 25-year-old featherweight boxer from Beerwah, Queensland, is preparing for the biggest opportunity of his career. 

Set to fight undefeated American Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington, Coolwell will step into the ring at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Texas on November 16 AEDT. 

The event, headlined by Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, marks Netflix‘s first-ever live-streamed boxing showcase, with an estimated audience of 550 million households tuning in worldwide.

‘It’s life-changing,’ Coolwell said. 

‘It’ll be one of the biggest events an Australian fighter has been part of. I’m grateful for this opportunity and want to showcase my skills to the world.’

The venue, home to the Dallas Cowboys, will host over 80,000 fans, a stark contrast to Coolwell’s last fight in March at the Caloundra RSL, where he secured a win before a crowd of 500 people. 

Queensland Dana Coolwell grew up loving rugby league and took on boxing for fitness

North Queensland Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston was Coolwell’s idol

Now, Coolwell is ready to show the world his potential, thriving in an atmosphere where millions of eyes will be on him.

‘I imagine the crowd as I walk out to the ring. I think I’ll feed off the energy and rise to the occasion,’ he said.

Coolwell’s journey to this point has been anything but typical. A former Beerwah Bulldogs rugby league player, he initially took up boxing at 14 for fitness, inspired by his NRL idols Johnathan Thurston and Matty Bowen. 

That decision led him to trainer Stephen Pitt, who saw something special in the young athlete.

‘When he first sparred in my gym, I thought it might’ve been a fluke,’ Pitt recalled. 

‘But after dominating two sessions against a seasoned boxer, I knew Dana was different.’

Under Pitt’s guidance, Coolwell’s career flourished. Despite setbacks, including two professional losses, Pitt believes these challenges shaped his fighter. 

The Queensland fighter competed in front of just 500 people at the Caloundra RSL last bout

He will now take on USA fighter Bruce Carrington in front of 80,000 people in Texas

‘Those losses made him tougher. Dana’s grit and work ethic are unmatched. He’s never missed a training session—not one.’

The upcoming fight against Carrington is a significant step up. Carrington, with a perfect 13-0 record, has earned a reputation as a technical and powerful fighter. 

Still, Coolwell and Pitt are confident.

‘People underestimate us because we’re from Australia,’ Pitt said. 

‘But those who know Dana know he’s capable of big things.’

Coolwell echoes his trainer’s sentiments. ‘While it’s exciting, I’m keeping a level head and sticking to my training. I won’t fully know the atmosphere until I’m in it, but I’m ready for the challenge.’

Carrington, a rising star from Brooklyn, is equally motivated. Known for his technical precision and powerful knockouts, he sees the Paul vs. Tyson undercard as an opportunity to expand his fanbase.

For Coolwell, this is more than a fight -it’s a chance to leave his mark on the sport. ‘As a pure boxing fan, I’m backing Mike Tyson in the main event,’ he said. ‘But regardless of who wins, boxing is the ultimate winner.’

The fight represents a defining moment in Coolwell’s career. If he defeats Carrington, the Queenslander will move closer to a world title opportunity, cementing his place on the global stage.

‘I only started boxing for fitness,’ Coolwell reflected. ‘But from my first amateur fight, I’ve never looked back.’

With millions watching, Coolwell is determined to make the most of his moment in the spotlight. 

As his coach Pitt puts it, ‘Texans love Australians, and Dana is likeable, talented, and ready to perform. The world will finally see what I’ve always known – Dana Coolwell is a star.’