Aussie superstar building a PHD in southpaws
Photo Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing
The 3-0 fighter prepares to face Cris Ganoza in Perth December 1 as the Main Event of Thunderdome 44
For a shot at the World Title, Noongar boxer Alex Winwood says he's building a "PhD in southpaws".
The 26-year-old is due to fight Filipino bruiser Cris Ganoza in Perth on December 1.
It's not the title fight Winwood is gunning for, but another step towards loudening calls for a chance to face newly-crowned WBC minimum/strawweight champ Yudai Shigeoka.
It's all part of the plan to grasp a world title in six fights – one shy of Jeff Fenech's Australian record.
Winwood comes into the bout 3-0 after debuting as a professional in November 2022 and a healthy amateur career including Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
The progression to going pro has not been lost on him.
"I've had to pinch myself a couple of times and just tell myself to live in your dream right now," he told National Indigenous Times from his training base on the NSW far-north coast.
"This is exactly what I wanted as a child… to be a professional and hopefully win a world title. I'm living my dream every moment."
In June, the West Australian cruised past Nicaraguan southpaw and no.5 rated Reyneris Gutierrez with a unanimous decision to clinch the WBC International title.
It pushed his rating to no.2, behind only leading contender to the Japanese champion, Luis Castillo – both men also leading with their right.
While his December opponent boasts a more experienced 20-5 record with 10 stoppages, Winwood's put together a built on versatility in the ring and discipline off of it.
Winwood only slightly tinkers with his training schedule in the build up rather than letting things slip in what others might look at as downtime.
"I've gotta get through him [Ganoza] before anything else happens. He's next on my hit list and I just need to be very wary of keeping my guard tight. If it does try to bang them in I'll be ready for a counter," he said.
"I've always handled southpaws pretty well. If I'm fighting three in a row, I think I'm going to be on song by the time I finally get in there with the champ."
While the WBC belt is front and centre of plans, Winwood said he's willing to "shift the goal posts" for any opportunity that comes up.
He's currently rated no.5, no.8 and no.13 in the IBF, WBO and WBA respectively.
Another hometown return to face Ganoza in six weeks time could be his last chance to soak it all up in front of his family and community.
"I love Perth and I'm very proud to come back there again… we might have to start travelling after this to get these fights. Any moment I can fight in my hometown is very special," he said.
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