MANDURAH boxer Alex Winwood is set to take on the world’s best when he competes at an international competition in Hamburg, Germany, later this month.
Winwood (20) will compete in the light flyweight (49kg) division after qualifying for the World Amateur Boxing Championships by winning a gold medal at the Oceania Championships in June.
He will join eight boxers from around Australia contesting in different weight divisions.
Winwood is starting to taper back from an extensive training regime as he prepares to fly to Germany, representing Boxing Australia, in the 10-day elimination event next week.
His regime includes sprints, gym work, sparring and hill runs, which he also has to fit around his Tafe data and communications studies.
Winwood has got his sights set on representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast next year and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“I fell a bit short for Rio,” he said.
“I went to two qualifying events in 2015 but I was short of two fights, so I was a bit gutted.”
But he said he was happy to have had that experience.
Winwood has fought against several world-class opponents and is confident of doing well in Hamburg.
“The guy I lost to at my second qualifier is now a two-time Olympian,” he said.
“It was a big step up from fighting in Australia but now that I’ve been there I know what I’m up against and I’ve trained really hard for this next one.”
He is looking for financial support to help continue his fledgling boxing career.
“I am honoured to be representing my country and living my dreams but unfortunately it is financially tough for me to cover the costs involved,” he said.
The City of Mandurah has contributed $500 to his travel costs.
Anyone wanting to help can visit his gofundme page.
Being an amateur, Winwood does not earn any money in the ring.
