He was too much show and not enough skill and had simply used his heavy-hitting power for most of his boxing wins.

But after heading to America for his first fight in Las Vegas and being flattened in the second round by Oliver McCall last month, he is aiming to become a better boxer in an Australian title fight in Canberra.

Hopoate will meet Bob Mirovic, 43, at the Australian Institute of Sport Arena on July23 for the Australian super-heavyweight title.

It's a repeat of the fight the two had last year for the Australian heavyweight title, widely accepted as the best Australian fight in 2008.

Hopoate won in nine rounds to claim his first Australian title.

But this time, Hopoate is hoping to start turning into a fighter known for more than his power.

He said it wouldn't have happened if he had won in America.

''I thought I was going to win over there with my power and it didn't happen, so I had to change and this is what we are doing for this fight, before it was all will and no skill and now I have to learn the skill,'' Hopoate said.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times