When and why you started boxing:
I was 17 and playing Aussie rules football. The local boxing club ran a tournament with a football grudge match on the show. Myself and another local footballer fought, I won by KO and never went back to football.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Evander Holyfield is up there, also my dad gave me tape of Mike Tyson’s first 10 knockouts when I was a kid and that made me love the sport, so he’s always been my favourite from that.
Best fight you’ve seen:
I love the Ward vs Gatti fights and also the Holyfield vs Bowe fights too.
Personal career highlight:
Winning my way through to represent Australia at the Olympic Games.
Toughest opponent:
I had many great fights in the amateurs at world level, it’s hard to pick one. Lenier Péro from Cuba was a very hard fight in 2013.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My strengths are my engine, work-rate and my tactics. My weakness would be sometimes I am too emotional when I fight and it clouds my judgement.
Training tip:
Put in the work, there is no excuse for not being fit.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I can’t go past a good, big chicken Parma (chicken parmigiana) from the local pub and a couple of beers.
Best friends in boxing:
Harry Garside, who has become like family to me. Daniel Lewis my Olympic teammate is a friend for life and my coach Marcos Amado.
Other sportsperson you would like to be:
Any that pays the big money! But I think if I didn’t box I would be into another combat sport like MMA as I love to fight.
Last film/TV show you saw:
Seinfeld, I can’t get enough of it, it’s always on at my house.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
I always tell my partner I’m built just like The Rock – she strongly disagrees. So I’ll say The Rock.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Not that I can think of, but I always say if I ever met Mike Tyson that’s who would make me starstruck.
Last time you cried:
Just a few days ago with the birth of my beautiful daughter. It was an amazing moment.
Best advice received:
Don’t let emotions get in the way of business.’
Worst rumour about yourself:
A crime-watch page on Facebook posted a photo of a bloke they were looking for after a burglary, and he was not a good-looking fella, I’ll add. Someone said the picture was me and reported it. I was spewing that someone thought I looked like this ugly man!
Something not many people know about you:
I’m actually afraid of rollercoasters and rides at theme parks.
