Fighting for the Australian super light­weight title on 14 September, Rokeby boxer Beau Woods has eyes only for gold. Now based on the Gold Coast, the emerging fighter feels that life experi­ences, both in and out of the ring have him primed to become Tasmania’s newest champion.

How has your preparation been for the fight? I’m always getting world class training in. My strength and condition­ing is the best it’s ever been. I’m four weeks out and the fittest I’ve ever been. I’m there to win, I’m not there to have a participation fight. I’m here to take this title home.

What are your thoughts on your opponent, reigning Australian champion John Mannu? He’s good, he’s tough, he’s busy and has a high work rate. I know I’ve got to box well for this fight. It’s made me the best version of myself. I honestly believe I’m going to come into this fight and shock Australia.

Where do you rank the title in terms of your personal goals? This is the key to the big doors. This is what we talked about as kids running up the big hills doing sprints. It’s a big deal. You’ve got to enjoy these moments and the opportu­nities that come, because when they don’t come someone’s going to take them. I’m very grateful for it.

That hill sprinting kid was raised in Rokeby. What was life like for you growing up? You grow up and get a bit older, you move away, you realise it’s not normal. It’s just a hard-knock town and it moulded me into the person I am. I love it. My whole family is still there, it will always hold a big place in my heart.

Did you find boxing as a result of your upbringing? My next door neighbours were into boxing, so it was always around me. I started judo when I was young as well, I got to a brown belt. I enjoyed combat, it was my way out of reality and the lifestyle we grew up in.

When did you make the decision between grappling and striking? I remember I was with another boxer, Johnny Brown, he said to me, “You’re going to have to decide what one you want to do,” because it was affecting my stance. Striking was always fun and I started getting pretty good at it.

I can see that self belief is a huge part of your boxing. Where do you believe this has come from? I think it was when I had my first and only loss. I remember sitting there banged up, a scar across my eye, two black eyes, a broken nose and thinking to myself, “Is this really what you want to do, Beau?” and something came over me. I said, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Defeat has been a blessing in a sense then? It changed me completely. You find out who you are when you have your first loss. It either goes one way or the other, you’re done or you go all in. After that defeat, I flicked a switch. I’ve gone to another level.

You appear to have become a more composed fighter. How do you think you have developed in this way? I think I’d just never been in control of my emotions. I just had no composure. I’m aware of that now and we work on that.

What should we expect from you on 14 September? I’m very excited to get in there and perform. I’ve got some new tricks, I’m boxing well and I’m confident. I’m putting my head down, doing what I need to do. I’ve got to be at my best for this fight.