Higgins claimed a NSW PCYC state title earlier this month, the win capping an impressive rise since his decision to fully commit to the sport a year ago.

Having won one belt, the 14-year-old said the goal is to ensure it's the first of many.

"I've been training properly for about a year now," Higgins said. "Dad's my coach.

"We got offered by the organiser to have the fight and fight for the belt, so we said we'd love to, it was such an awesome opportunity. Then we won, which was awesome.

"It was the PCYC NSW State title, it was the first belt to be won for the PCYC in that division, they haven't made belts like that before.

"To be the first winner in this division is really cool, it's awesome. But it doesn't feel too different to winning any fight, it feels the same."

Higgins was straight back into training after the victory, with the desire to continue improving and climbing up the ranks.

The 14-year-old has one more fight planned this year before he turns his attention to what he hopes to be a successful 2020.

"I will just keep on training now. I have one more fight before the end of the year, then I'll be training for a while before I have my next one.

"I'm trying to look to go far in the sport. I want to go as far as I can. I'm dedicating myself and taking it seriously, training every day, eating right."

Higgins trains out of Lake Illawarra PCYC with his father Adam, a veteran coach who has mentored a number of professional boxers and mixed martial arts fighters.

Read more: Wollongong's Flynn Ogilvie relaxed ahead of Hockey One grand final

Despite watching his father coach for a number of years, Higgins initially didn't plan to box competitively.

That all changed a year ago and he hasn't looked back.

"I've only been boxing properly for a year. I've been around it my whole life, ever since I was little.

"Dad's been training professional boxers and professional MMA fighters but I never really took it seriously until about a year ago.

"I kinda fell out of boxing for a bit when I was younger, then I thought I might as well come back and start training and I just fell in love with it."

Higgins' upcoming fight will be later this month against a fellow Illawarra junior, with the duo among a small group of emerging boxers in the region.

While boxing is competitive, Higgins said the boys help each other improve.

"It's all nice and friendly, there's no bad blood or anything, we all try to help each other."

While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.