WOLLONGONG boxer Shannen Manton is looking at a switch to the pro-game after claiming his first Australian title as an amateur last week.
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Cowra-raised, Illawarra-based Manton claimed the Australian Amateur Boxing League (novice) middleweight crown with back to back wins at Bathurst.
“All the hard work we did leading up to it paid off and it's always good to get the win after you've worked so hard in camp leading into the fight,” Manton said.
“It was good, the first boy was from [St Marys'] UTC gym in and the other trained out of Birchy's [David Birchell's] gym so they came from good camps and were going to be tough opponents.
“I worked with my first ever coach Jason Steward from Cowra leading in and we worked our plan well.
“I just looked to be first [to land] and then be last and it came together well for me so I was pretty pleased.
“Winning an Australian title is something I can have forever.”
While he won't be making an immediate leap into the pro ranks, the young father of two says punching for pay remains his ultimate goal.
“Going forward we'll just take it one fight at a time, if the right [amateur] fight comes up then we'll take it,” Manton said.
“I still want to get a bit more experience in the amateurs, I want to stay fit and keeping fighting, but I want to turn professional for sure.
“It was always where I wanted to end up. I'm doing it for the love of the sport at the moment but I've got a young family. For the amount of time I spend away from them, I want to be fighting for more than a trophy.”