Jack Brubaker will have Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech in his corner for the biggest bout of his career so far when he takes on Tim Tszyu at the end of the year.
It will be a St George-Sutherland Shire derby at the International Convention Centre Sydney on December 6 when Cronulla boxer Brubaker takes on Rockdale fighter Tszyu.
Brubaker will step up to super welterweight to take the bout against Tszyu, widely regarded as the next big thing in Australian boxing.
The 27-year-old Brubaker, who enjoys a 16-2-2 record, last fought in August when he scored a technical knock out victory over Danny Kennedy. The bout was on the undercard as Tszyu convincingly took the IBF Australasian super welterweight title from Dwight Ritchie in the main event.
Now Brubaker will share top billing with the 24-year-old son of Australian boxing legend Kostya Tszyu when they meet at the end of the year.
But Brubaker will have his own legend in his corner.
Multiple world champion Fenech joined Team Brubaker as head coach, trainer and mentor at the start of the month.
And Brubaker believes the relationship, with the pair working between Brubaker's Miranda gym and Fenech's base at Five Dock, will help him get the best out of his career.
"They say that boxers don't come into their prime until their late 20s. So this is my prime time now. I want to give it absolutely everything in the next 12 to 24 months," Brubaker told the Leader.
"The move to Jeff is perfect for the next stage of my career. I want to give it 100 per cent.
"After my last couple of performances I felt like something was missing. After my last fight especially. I walked out of the ring and the first person to come over to me was Jeff. He gave me some good advice and it really sunk in.
"He said if I had any other questions to give him a call. I called the next week. He's won multiple world titles across multiple weight divisions. And what he was saying really struck a chord with me. I went over there and did a session to basically get a few extra tips and I walked out of there in love with the sport again."
Brubaker will attempt to hand Tszyu the first defeat of his young career. Tszyu has an unblemished 14-0 record having dominated the super welterweight division in Australia. It was thought his next fight could be overseas but he will now be looking for a win over Brubaker before taking that next step.
While the pressure will be on Tszyu to deliver another victory, Brubaker is confident he can cause an upset that will launch his own career.
"With Jeff Horn's loss to Michael Zerafa, Tim is probably the face of Australian boxing," Brubaker said.
"He's on all the main event fight cards. He's got the last name and the pedigree. Something I've done my whole career is challenge myself. I want the best possible opponents in front of me. The big fights are the ones I really lift for and want. Winning this fight will put me on the map and make me a household name
"I'm moving up to super welterweight. It's a good move for me. I think it will only increase my power, not having to lose six or seven kilograms in my weight cut. Moving up is a big challenge for us [but] not having that extra stress of having to cut that weight only helps me.
"I believe it is the biggest fight of my career for what a win means. Tim is an outstanding fighter, especially that last fight [against Ritchie] I was very impressed. But that just gives me more motivation because I want to fight the best and right now Tim is the best.
"I wanted this fight, especially with Fenech [in my corner]. With my aggressive style and not having to cut weight it will increase my natural power. With my aggressive, come forward attitude that I have I believe I can put the pressure on Tim and break him down."
"I'm not the biggest fan of Tim Tszyu. I'm looking forward to getting in the ring and beating him. It has taken me 10 years to get a big fight like this. Tim came in, he had the last name, I'm not saying he's done it easy. But I've seen him around. He's got that attitude. I just don't like him.
"This will be the biggest win of my career. He's ranked No.5 in the world, in Australia he's currently the most well-known fighter. He's up there in the rankings. A good performance and result under Jeff's guidance can catapult me to where I want to be."
