Short notice bout to end a long wait
BENJI Dimitrioski is confident that short notice won’t derail the biggest opportunity of his decade-long boxing career.
The 31-year-old from Tweed was called up three weeks before the Saturday night fight to replace the injured Josh Frederiksen in a Boxing Mania bout against Quintin Carey at Seagulls Club.
The stakes are high, with the vacant Australian light heavyweight title on the line.
Dimitrioski, who will head to the Tweed venue for the weigh-in tomorrow, is certain he has what it takes to rise to champion status.
“I was training for a fourround fight and then three weeks out I got notification I had the chance of fighting for the Australian title and I jumped at it,” he said.
“I’m always in the gym and fit so yeah, it was no question.
“It’s been very full on. I will be happy when I am laying back with the title.”
Dimitrioski enjoyed an
early knockout win against Aiden Bennet in March but knows he may have to grind it out over 10 rounds against Carey.
“He is a tough and rugged fighter. He is strong, a big puncher but I believe I can outsmart him and definitely beat him on the night,” Dimitrioski said.
As he tapers in preparation for the fight, he is excited by what victory could do for his career.
“I have been boxing for 10 years,” he said.
“My uncle was a boxer, my dad used to take us to watch the fights and then when I was 21, I was getting into a little bit of trouble here and there — boxing straightened me out and gave me something to focus on.
“I have put everything that I have into the sport. I have done a lot of trips, have spent endless amounts of money investing in myself and the sport, in America, I have trained around the world.
“It has brought me to where I am now, ready to fight for the Aussie title and bring it home.
“It’s been a long time coming. It is definitely something I have worked for and it will create a new path for me and open up some big doors.”