Promising middleweight Alex Speed is discovering an unconventional way to climb past rival contenders to not only claim an initial state title chance, but to better succeed in switching to the pro ranks.
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Launceston Boxing Club coach Nick Millwood finally put Speed on the right path after a two-year break, at 18, "because he wanted to have a few beers with the boys".
"You can turn pro at 18, but to me it's more how mature you are," Millwood said.
Speed has turned things around to clash with Thomas Barker for the Tasmanian Boxing League 75kg belt on Saturday in Campbell Town.
The 22-year-old has spent the year duelling it out with former five-time Australian champion Sebastian Wells in three separate contests.
"There's been just three punches in it every time they have fought," Millwood said.
"Alex lost the first couple, but he won the last one."
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Millwood is confident the experience against the seasoned Hobart champion has toughened up his fighter.
Speed's had half as many amateur bouts as Wells and had struggled previously to win more than half of his.
"I have tried and live by the mantra that if you want to be the best, you also have to beat the best," Millwood said.
"So I had a chat with him at the start of the year and said to him if he wants me to take him seriously, he has to take himself seriously.
"Just do what he is told and he's gone and done that - he's reaping the benefits of that."
Millwood is certain the introverted Launceston boxer can take up the fight to the Glenorchy state champion in Saturday's main event.
"Alex is just a real hard worker. He's in the gym every day. He is always constantly working hard to improve his boxing," Millwood said.
"So he has come along way just in the past 12 months with his skill set and also his mentality towards fighting.
"I think he has got as lot more mature and if he keeps going the way he's going, he'll do some pretty big things in the paid ranks as well."
Millwood has five of his up-and-coming Launceston boxers on the 15-fight card at Campbell Town.
Ben Armour is set to face Clarence Plains' Heath Kean in a 69kg catchweight rematch from during the year.
Cody Holmes will take on with Clarence Plains' Brodie Menzies in the 12-14 years 44.5kgs schoolboys division.
Jade Nichols is set to go toe-to-toe with Glenorchy's Ella Crosswell in the 44.5kgs sub-junior category. Lachie Stone will meet Kane Wilson for the 38kgs sub-junior title.
The opening fight on the day will start at 12:30pm.
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
