Manton will go to war with recently crowned national novice champion Rhys Farmer looking to keep the belt he claimed with a convincing unanimous decision victory over Ryan Apps in Cowra in March.

That performance ensures he’ll head into Saturday’s fight high on confidence.

“That last fight gave me a huge confidence boost,” Manton said.

“Just dealing with everything mentally, getting there on the night, putting on a good show and taking away the belt was an amazing feeling. You always want to go up that extra level with each fight.

“We take harder fights every time and I think this is another tough fight in Reece Martin. He’ just won the novice Australian title so he’s no pushover that’s for sure.

The bout on the Central Coast will also be his first out of Grechy’s Boxing Gym at Barrack Heights where he’s put in his work under coach James Grech.

“It’s been great there working with James Grech,” Manton said.

“It’s all new for us. We’ve known each other through boxing but now he’s helping with my preparation and he’s done a phenomenal job.

“I normally do all my own conditioning work, and I feel really fit, it was more the boxing pad work and the sparring I needed for this camp. I’ve had that for a good six weeks so I feel really good.”

Manton’s also had an extra injection of motivation for this camp with the arrival of daughter Willow eight weeks ago, though he admits partner Brooke has  shouldered the bulk of the parenting load.

“It’s definitely been different,” Manton said.

“I get up before the sun’s up to train and then I’ll be back after work see her for an hour and then I’m off to training again so that can be a bit hard mentally.

“Brooke’s been awesome looking after her while I’m in training so I can really focus on the fight. I look at it as their belt and I’m bringing it home to them, it’s not going anywhere.”