BOXING
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It took just a few rounds of sparring with former three-time world champion Daniel Geale to convince South Coast boxer Mark Lucas that his decision to turn professional was the right move.
Lucas will make his professional debut against Queensland southpaw Travis Barton on the undercard to Geale's Australian mega-fight with former AIS roommate Jarrod Fletcher on December 3.
The decision to turn professional follows a disappointing second-round exit at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games where a long campaign just to qualify took its toll.
Lucas fought more bouts than any other member of the Australian team just to earn his ticket to Glasgow and found himself drained after his first bout.
"I had a massive two years just to qualify and we had great results and great performances on the way there and I probably peaked on the first fight," he said.
"I think I was a bit mentally exhausted. I don't think I fought to the best of my ability in the tournament which was disappointing because of the form I'd been in and that's just the way the sport goes sometimes."
Lucas said the experience prompted him to turn pro at 25 rather than face an even tougher qualification route to the Rio Olympics in 2016.
"It's just the reality of where I'm at and where the sport's at. I think I've got a better chance of fighting for titles in the pros."
Former unified IBF, WBA and IBO middleweight champion Geale thought enough of Lucas' ability to use him as a sparring partner as he finalised preparations for his bout with Fletcher.
Lucas said the sessions left him high on confidence ahead of his debut.
"We'd done a few sessions implementing the pro style and when we went up there it all just started clicking," he said.
"The experience gained from that is second to none. I couldn't get better sparring than that.
"It's the best preparation I could've got and it makes me confident in what I can do."
Coach Nudge Mieli said Lucas' amateur pedigree would equip him well as a professional.
"He's had 70 fights now and with all the international competition spars we're getting close to 100 fights," Mieli said.
"I think his career will progress quickly, the same as Gealey and Danny Green and those guys, because of his amateur experience.
"Most of the really good guys have a good base behind them which is that amateur experience. I think he can make a big noise in the pros."