Arsene Fosso struggles to keep the smile off his face the moment he steps into the gym.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The inspiring Cameroonian refugee takes a moment to greet those around him with a hug and ever-improving English before he straps on a pair of gloves and hooks into formalities.
It is inside the confines of the Stockade Training Centre Fosso works tirelessly on his footwork and head movement under the tutelage of coach Garry Hamilton.
"I've got to keep working on this now and I'll be good," Fosso said.
Rest assured Fosso is already good. More than good.
The former amateur world championship medallist has ended all three of his professional bouts via stoppage.
Now Fosso (3-0) will look to capture the ANBF NSW heavyweight championship when he meets Patrick Thunder (1-4-1) at Capital Fight Show 19 at the Hellenic Club of Canberra on Friday.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Sparring sessions with some of the brightest heavyweights on our shores promise to take the 36-year-old to the next level as he looks to fast track his rise to the top.
Fosso had a stint in Queensland sparring with unbeaten WBO African heavyweight champion Demsey McKean (17-0) and Olympic Games gold medal hopeful Justis Huni.
"Training was good, I had many experiences with good boxers at different levels," Fosso said.
"Justis Huni from team Australia, he's a good heavyweight and he was going fast. To work with him was a good experience, because he was pushing me to work fast like him.
"Demsey McKean was good too, we were sparring together to give me more experience.
"Everything is going well. I'm still working hard. Every day I've got to wake up at 5.30am, go into work, finish work and then come to training.
"I need to stay fit and ready to fight. If you don't train, you can't fight."
A shot at the state title looms as a stepping stone for Fosso on the road to bigger things in the midst of a whirlwind journey.
Fosso is still waiting on a verdict from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as he seeks a visa to stay in Australia after fleeing the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
What lies ahead is the biggest chance of his professional career, with the National Boxing Series set to bring a show to Canberra in June broadcast live on Fox Sports.
MORE BOXING
So Fosso is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to make a statement against 29-year-old Gosford resident Thunder.
"It's my first opportunity to fight for the belt, and it will open many opportunities after this fight," Fosso said.
"I'm trying to the best. Fighting as an amateur is so different to being a professional. As an amateur you have to work fast, but as a professional you have to be strong and fast.
"I'm trying to take some good things from my coach Garry. He is a good coach to be learning from."
CAPITAL FIGHT SHOW 19
Friday: Capital Fight Show 19 - Jorge Kapeen v Abe Archibald at the Hellenic Club of Canberra. Doors open at 6.30pm, first fight at 7pm. Tickets from Ticketbooth.
Full card -
ANBF NSW welterweight championship: Jorge Kapeen (2-0) v Abe Archibald (4-0-1)
ANBF NSW heavyweight championship: Arsene Fosso (3-0) v Patrick Thunder (1-4-1)
Middleweight: Beau Hartas (6-1) v Adam Stowe (6-2-2)
Super welterweight: Alex Cooper (2-0) v Ray Ingram (2-18-2)
Super featherweight: Dylan Hadley (2-0) v Chris Oliver (1-2)
Super welterweight: Ferdi Bartulovic (2-1-1) v Jason Medawar (debut)
Heavyweight: Daryll Hall (2-0) v Rob Baron (0-4)