GWENT boxer Jamie Weetch is continuing to prosper Down Under – 10 years after a brutal attack that nearly cost him his life.

Originally from Pontywaun, Weetch was a highly talented amateur fighter in his youth.

He started boxing when he was 15 at nearby Cwmcarn ABC and went on to win a Welsh youth title aged 17 before the incident that stalled his progress in the sport.

In April 2006 he was set upon by two brothers, stabbed in the neck and bashed over the head with dumbbells.

Weetch was left covered in blood from a two-centimetre cut near his jugular and a cut on his cheek after the attack in George Street, Cwmcarn, Cardiff crown court was told.

He also suffered swelling to his head after being hit with weights and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

His mother, Elizabeth, told the Argus he suffered a blood clot near his brain and had his skull been fractured, Mrs Weetch says she was warned this could have moved to the brain, with tragic consequences.

He was forced to take a year out from boxing while recovering from his injuries but then, in March 2008, he was attacked again.

Luke Roberts, who had admitted his part in the original attack with his brother Matthew, was jailed for shooting Weetch with an air pistol.

Weetch, then aged 19, had pellets removed from his shoulder, neck, and ear and also had to have his nose operated on.

He was told there would be a very slim chance he’d ever fight again, but he defied doctors’ warnings to make a comeback to the ring.

It was only when he moved to Australia at the age of 24, however, that he began his professional boxing career.

He has now recorded five wins on the bounce and on February 12, he’ll have his tenth professional fight in Australia.

In April last year Weetch beat Darran Allison, another British-born fighter, at the Metro City Club in Northbridge to win the vacant Australia – West Australia State super-middleweight title.

His overall record shows seven wins and two defeats with four wins by knockout.