Lucas controlled proceedings from start to finish to notch a unanimous decision win, scorecards reading 98-91, 96-94 and 98-92 after 10 rounds.

Lucas suffered a close defeat to Rocky Jerkic and a decision loss to Australian great Sam Soliman in two bouts since coming out of a two-year retirement in February.

Neither hurt is stocks in the Australian boxing circles but the 30-year-old admits to feeling a weight lifted in having his hand raised for the first time in more than two years.

"It was a bit surreal to be honest, I feel like now people might take a bit of notice," Lucas said.

"I wanted to make a bit of a statement because I feel like I've been written off a bit by people in Australian boxing, I've never really been given my due.

"I definitely went out there with the intention of making a statement, first to win but, when I saw how the fight was playing out, I was looking to really get on him win it emphatically. I think I did.

"People just think I can box but I can fight. After the first round I just battered him, I feel like I broke his will and wore him down. It was probably one of my best performances, especially such a big win and a win we've been trying to get for a long time with him."

The Bomaderry product will now pause and re-assess with coach Nudge Mieli to determine their next move, but they haven't ruled out fighting again before the year is out.

Failing that, Lucas plans on chasing some major straps in 2020.

"I just want big fights, it's what I've been chasing all along," Lucas said.

"I'm 12 fights in and in my last seven fights I've done 70 rounds. There's not many people 12 fights in that can say that.

"I'd love to get a shot at the Commonwealth title, one of the English guys coming up or anyone who's going to offer the right money in Australia.

"It's too tough at this level to fight for shitty purses but anything that offers decent pay and a quality opponent, I'll fight anyone."

Reclaiming major silverware would be quite the career-resurgence for a guy who admittedly thought he'd hit a wall two years ago. It was more to do with factors outside the ring than in it, things that no longer weigh on shoulders.

"I've been boxing since I was 14 years old, my identity and self-worth was all built around being an athlete," he said.

"Taking the time out and growing as a man, having a family and getting that perspective on who I am outside of boxing has actually made boxing a lot easier.

"As much as I want to win, and you need to live and breathe it, it doesn't define me anymore. When you define yourself by your accomplishments only it puts a lot of pressure on you every time you step in there.

"Taking that away and knowing who I am outside of the ring has really got me loving the sport again."