JUSTIN Whitehead hopes a rare chance to fight in front of his hometown crowd can spur him to victory in his heavyweight showdown at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday night.
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The former Australian heavyweight champion, who is on the comeback trail, faces American Julius Long over six rounds as the main event on a huge Battle on the Goldfields card.
Whitehead returned to in-ring action in August after a five-year hiatus, knocking down American Clarence Tillman in the third of four rounds in Melbourne.
The 44 year-old has fought only twice in Bendigo - once in his third professional fight at the Flora Hill Sports Centre in 2004, the other as part of an Australia versus New Zealand international challenge in his amateur days.
Whitehead said it had certainly been a "long time between drinks" in terms of fighting in Bendigo.
"I'm getting excited and I'm looking to put on a real good show for the locals," he said.
"Not just me, it's a real big night for all the local guys getting into the ring.
"Hopefully people can really support (the event) and the opportunity and we can get more of these big nights."
Whitehead faces an intriguing challenge, with Long standing an imposing seven foot one (216cm).
Now based in New Zealand, Long – known as ‘Towering Inferno’ – has a deceptive professional win-loss record of 16-19, the bulk of his losses coming against world top 10 ranked opponents.
His latest decision was a ninth round knockout loss to Sydney-based Lucas Browne, currently ranked number one among Australian heavyweights.
Whitehead said the bout against the 38 year-old would give him a solid indication of where his comeback was placed.
“We’re about 12 months back into the comeback and he’ll certainly be a measuring stick in relation to where we are and what we will be capable of moving forward,” he said.
“I’m enjoying it at the moment – just how long I’ll be bale to keep doing it is probably going to be the issue.
“I think next year we’ll be looking to step it up.”
Long-time Bendigo trainer Pat Connolly, who together with brother Gary have overseen Whitehead’s training, said his preparation had gone to plan.
“Gary has basically been looking after getting him ready, the physical part of it and fixing up some of the faults that have developed over the years,” he said.
“But we are happy with what he has done .
“We’ve had him spar with a fairly diverse bunch of opponents and I’m quite happy with his attitude.”
Whitehead boasts an unblemished record after six fights in the professional ranks, after more than 50 as amateur.
