There is no time to rest for Jack Denahy.
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Mere weeks after clinching his second consecutive national title, the Ballarat boxer is preparing to get back in the ring.
But this time he'll be wearing the green and gold.
Denahy embarked for Asia this week to compete in the World Class Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament. It will mark the first time the 20-year-old has represented Australia since taking up the sport as a teenager.
"It was an awesome honour," Denahy told The Courier.
"Last year winning the Australian title wasn't a pathway to any international tournaments. But this time around it's great to finally get that acknowledgment to represent the green and gold."
Denahy joins a handful of top Australian fighters who will take part in the tournament which runs from July 18-28.
Fighting across eight competition days, he will go toe-to-toe with some of the best amateur fighters on the world stage.
Your amateur career is your apprenticeship, and getting that international experience is fundamental to developing your game.
- Jack Denahy
"Ever since I started boxing, that has been my main goal, to represent Australia and win some medals," he said.
"Your amateur career is your apprenticeship, and getting that international experience is fundamental to developing your game."
The featherweight fighter said he anticipated some fierce competition at the tournament, particularly from Cuba and Russia who are powerhouses within the sport.
It will be made tougher by the fact he will be fighting opponents two kilograms heavier than what he faced at nationals.
But he is hardly intimidated. With a wave of momentum behind him, Denahy said he was confident he could match it with the best.
"There is a reason I was named best in Australia," he said.
"My adaptability is my biggest strength, and being able to suss out my opponent in the first few minutes and knowing what I'll have to do to beat them."
