Alex Winwood eyes firmly set on WBC International title challenge
Australian light flyweight sensation Alex Winwood (1-0, 1KO) is looking to push through the professional gears in rapid fashion, as he challenges former world champion Tibo Monabesa (21-1-2, 8KO) for the WBC International light flyweight title on March 3.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Winwood has been punch perfect as a professional and is being moved at fast pace by Australian boxing aficionado Tony Tolj, who aims to move his all action charge into the world ratings this coming March.
In his pro debut, last November, the 25-year-old became a titlist in his first ever professional fight by defeating winning fighter Mario Bunda to become the West Australia State Light Fly champion.
Winwood discussed his career development, "I'm delighted to be moving fast with my career as I feel I have the ability to do that. I've served my apprentice in the amateurs, I've boxed elite fighters, now it's my time to shine. I want to beat Jeff Fenech's legendary record as Australia's fastest world champion."
Fenech became the IBF World bantamweight champion in his seventh bout in 1985.
"I'm grateful to my manager Tony Tolj who has been moving me at the right pace and I feel this fight is the right step up for me at this stage. I want to establish myself on the world scene and I think this is the right fight in front of my own people in Perth. This is what being a pro is really about for me.
"I've been training alongside Andrew and Jason Moloney, so realistically I'm not getting any better development anywhere even if I tried. I'm with the best in the business, and I have a pathway similar to theirs, so I'm learning first hand on how to navigate the boxing world from a performance perspective."
Winwood is guided by Tony Tolj, who also oversees the Moloney brothers, and Tolj gave his take on Winwood's fast tracked development.
Tolj stated, "Alex is a great kid, a fast learner and he can really fight. I'm excited about him, and I'm really enjoying working with him. He listens to his coaches, he trusts his team, he's everything you can ask for in a fighter.
"He main events on March 3 in Metro City, Perth, and I fully believe that's the position he should be in. I want to thank the WBC for this opportunity; Alex is up for the job and he's in a real fight against a world rated fighter.
"It's a massive ask to beat Jeff Fenech's record, it's legendary, but I believe out of all the Australian fighters emerging right now, Winwood has the best chance to do it."
Photos: Dragon Fire Boxing (Mike O'Hara)
