HIT Factory's Jocelyn Amiet and Tully Scanlon are just weeks away from what will be their biggest boxing contests of the year.
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The talented duo from the Golden Square-based gym are among a 50-plus squad that will represent Victoria at the Australian Amateur Boxing Assocation championships on the Gold Coast.
The titles will run from April 27 until May 2.
Amiet will contest her second national titles.
The secondary schoolteacher has put in many hours honing foot and hand skills for her campaign in the elite women's 54kg division.
Scanlon, 15, will compete in the junior (under-17s) 48kg class.
Another highlight for the gym is the selection of trainer Danniel Burton as a coach in Victoria's team.
It's a first for Burton who's been in the caper for several years as a boxer and now trainer.
"To be selected is a great honour," Burton said.
"As a coach you have goals and this was one of them."
The consistency of Hit Factory's squad at tournaments caught selectors' attention.
Amiet's lead-up to the nationals will include this Sunday's bout at Brunswick with reigning national 57kg champion Simone Bailey.
"Jocelyn steps up a division, but is keen to compete," Burton said.
"Her boxing has improved dramatically in the past year.
"The speed of her punches and her feet has lifted a lot.
"They have been areas she has focused on."
Amiet's bouts at the nationals will be four-by-two-minute rounds.
Most of Scanlon's contests in the past year were up a division.
"He now gets the chance to fight at 48kg. Tully has a lot of skill and is strong.
"I am confident he will do well. He has to believe it, too."
Scanlon's fights will be three-by-two-minute rounds.
Both boxers have done plenty of sparring against each other.
Amiet fought at the nationals in 2011.
Workouts have not just been on the heavy bag, speedball or skipping at the gym, but also running to increase fitness.
"Strength is much greater this time, and I believe I have a much better fight plan.
"Being able to control the pace of each round is really important.
"The last round really counts. It's when everyone is tiring, but you can score a lot of points."
Scanlon will compete at the nationals for the first time.
He first took up boxing training to increase fitness for football.
Scanlon has continued to mix both pursuits and will play for Golden Square's under-16s this footy season.
His record stands at four wins and one defeat.
"The atmosphere at boxing is amazing, as is the adrenalin before and during a match."
