Greentree to lead Aussie boxers in Glasgow

An exciting new generation of Australian boxing talent will take centre stage in Glasgow, with Commonwealth Games Australia today naming an eight-athlete team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Headlining the squad is New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Emma-Sue Greentree (Women’s 75kg), who leads a talented and determined group of boxers set to make their Commonwealth Games debuts in Glasgow. 

Greentree enters the Games off the back of valuable international experience, having just finished competing at the World Boxing Cup in Brazil, alongside five of her fellow selected teammates.  

All eight selected athletes will be competing at their first Commonwealth Games, marking an important milestone in their sporting careers and reflecting the continued depth and growth of Australian boxing on the international stage. 

Speaking on her selection, Greentree (pictured above) said she was proud to reach a major milestone in her career, following a successful campaign at the World Boxing Cup. 

“I’m incredibly proud to be selected to represent Australia at my first Commonwealth Games,” Greentree said. 

“It’s something I’ve worked towards for a long time, and to come off a successful World Boxing Cup campaign and now have that opportunity in Glasgow is really special. 

“I’m excited to step into the ring, test myself against the best, and make the most of every moment wearing the green and gold.” 

Fellow team member Lekeisha Pergoliti (Women’s 70kg), who recently claimed silver at the Brazil World Cup, said the experience had further motivated her ahead of her Commonwealth Games debut. 

“Coming so close in Brazil has only made me hungrier,” Pergoliti said. 

“That experience on the international stage has given me a lot of confidence, and I’m excited to build on it heading into my first Commonwealth Games with this team.” 

Joining Greentree and Pergoliti in the women’s competition are Eve Bryson (Women’s 65kg) and Monique Suraci (Women’s 54kg). 

Suraci finished ninth in her division at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while Bryson is a two-time national champion. 

In the men’s competition, Jacob Cassar (Men’s 65kg), Jye Dixon (Men’s 55kg), Lachlan Lawson (Men’s 90kg/NSWIS) and Paul Trainor (Men’s 80kg) will contest their respective divisions as part of a dynamic debut squad in Glasgow. 

Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM OLY said the team represents an exciting new generation of Australian boxing. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome this group of athletes onto the Commonwealth Games team,” Thomas said. 

“For all eight to be making their debut is a fantastic achievement and speaks to the strength of Australia’s boxing pathway.  

“They’ve earned this opportunity, and we’re confident they will embrace the experience and represent Australia with pride in Glasgow.” 

Boxing Australia CEO Dinah Glykidis welcomed today’s announcement of the boxers who have confirmed their selection to the 2026 Commonwealth Games. 

“It’s an exciting moment for Boxing Australia to be able to confirm this team, with eight athletes selected to represent Australia in Glasgow,” Glykidis said. 

“This is a talented and determined group who’ve earned their opportunity and are ready to test themselves against the best boxers across the Commonwealth. 

“We know they’ll continue to develop over the coming months, and we’re really looking forward to seeing them represent the green and gold in Glasgow.” 

The team has been selected following strong performances across national selection events and international competition, with selectors highlighting the athletes’ technical skill, resilience, and potential to perform on the world stage. 

AUSTRALIAN BOXING TEAM – GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES 

NAME	EVENT	AGE	STATE	COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Eve Bryson	Women’s 65kg	20	NSW	Debut
Jacob Cassar	Men’s 65kg	19	VIC	Debut
Jye Dixon	Men’s 55kg	19	QLD	Debut
Emma-Sue Greentree	Women’s 75kg	27	NSWIS	Debut
Lachlan Lawson	Men’s 90kg	22	NSWIS	Debut
Lekeisha Pergoliti	Women’s 70kg	24	WA	Debut
Monique Suraci	Women’s 54kg	25	ACT	Debut
Paul Trainor	Men’s 80kg	24	NSW	Debut

Boxing has been on the program at every Commonwealth Games, with women’s events added to the competition for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. 

Australia’s most successful Games was at Gold Coast 2018, with eight medals, including three gold medals. 

Australia’s most successful male boxer is Tony Madigan who won three medals, including two gold medals. Shelley Watts is Australia’s first female boxing gold medallist, winning gold in the Women’s 60kg division at the Glasgow Games. 

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August. Boxing events will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), in the SEC Centre from Friday 24 July to Saturday 1 August. 

Story and main photo courtesy of Commonwealth Games Australia