Two fights in and with four to play to make history as the fastest Australian man to a world title, Alex Winwood (2-0) has labelled his latest piece of acknowledgement from the boxing fraternity a “surreal” one.
In a blink of an eye, the Noongar man has gone from professional debutant to no.13 on the WBC’s light flyweight rankings.
Its enviable territory after just two pro bouts,his latest against former world champion Tibo Monabesa to claim the WBC international title in devastating fashion.
Winwood has failed to wobble thus far and has no plans to start anytime soon.
All eyes are on claiming a world title within six fights - one shy of Jeff Fenech’s record Australian pace.
“12 months ago I was still in the amateur system training for the Commonwealth Games,” Winwood told the National Indigenous Times.
“To think that within three months of turning pro that I’ve made it in the top 15 in the world, It's pretty surreal.
The mild-mannered 25-year-old concedes the path he and his team have mapped out is “very ambitious” but holds no doubt in his ability to prove himself at the global level before so many others could hope to get a look in.
“This is the risk reward factor that we're going after and obviously I have what it takes to match these guys and beat them,” he said.
“We're trying to do things fast and I think I've got the ability so it's just about taking the risks…there's big rewards behind it.”
The swift journey up the ladder comes after giving away a steady job helping build navy ships as an electrical apprentice; a willing sacrifice for a passion that has “always come first”.
The West Australian is now based in far-north NSW with his globally-respected trainer Angelo Hyder.
What’s next? Trimming off a touch from his 158 centimetre frame to fight at the lightest weight class and get his hands on another belt.
“We’re going to drop down to minimum (weight) and get rated for the world title,” Hyder said.
“I'm training him now, early, to change his body just that little bit to try and get the muscle off him that's not needed and change it around a little bit.”
Despite the relative inexperience of his man, Hyder remains very bullish about what's to come.
He's seen his fair share of talent over the years but a discussion with him about Winwood makes assertions of his talent, discipline and being “something special” come in spades.
Still humble, Winwood thanked the WBC and president Mauricio Sulaimán for their backing and belief in him being able to hold his hands up with the world's best so early in his career.
“I just want to thank them for giving me the opportunity and allowing me to display my talent at such an early stage in my career,” Winwood said.
