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BENDIGO boxer Justin Whitehead says he has no plans to walk away from his in-ring career.
That is despite the disappointment of a points decision loss last month in a hometown bout against New Zealand-based American Julius Long.
The loss was Whitehead's first in his short seven-fight professional career and came in his second fight back from a five-year break from the sport.
Less than a month after his brusing battle with the 216cm Long, Whitehead has declared he has no intention of turning has back on boxing.
Recapturing the Australian heavyweight title, he first won in a tough 10-round contest against Colin Wilson in 2010, lingers as a short term-goal for the 44 year-old.
But both Whitehead and his trainer, California Gully-based Gary Connolly, admit the heavyweight's longevity would hinge greatly on striking the right work-training dynamic and securing some backing from sponsors.
"I've been quite honest in my appraisal - can I perform at my best under my current circumstances - probably no," Whitehead said.
"Am still I capable - yes.
"A lot of people keep pointing to my age, I don't feel 44. In your own mind you don't feel as old as you are.
"But my personal circumstances will have to change, I can't combine 55 to 60 hours a week work with training."
Connolly was adamant Whitehead's speed, reflexes and strength were where they needed to be.
"They are as good as a 20 year-old and he's improving all the time," he said.
"Justin is a better fighter than what he was when he was first the (Australian) heavyweight champion, he's still improving rapidly.
"At the end of the day we need to get some good sponsors on-board to put him in a position where he can challenge.
"He can go as far as he wants to in this sport.
"He still has a window of opportunity open to him in the sport - if it wasn't there, he wouldn't go on."
The pair concede they were caught off-guard by an opponent given a lengthy eight weeks to prepare for the fight and had dedicated himself to making good on the potential he had shown against a long-list of top 10 ranked opponents, despite an ordinary 16-19 record.
Crucially, according to Connolly, Long had worked extensively on rectifying his major weakness and developing a "world-class jab".
The American, who earned a shot at the vacant International Boxing Organization Asia Pacific heavyweight title against Sydney-based Kiwi Wilis Meehan next April, dropped 21 kilograms for his previous fight against Lucas Browne.
Whitehead said the loss to Long, who at 229cm has the longest reach in pro-boxing, would have no bearing on his decision to keep fighting.
Justin is a better fighter than what he was when he was first the (Australian) heavyweight champion, he's still improving rapidly.
- Gary Connolly
"I never classed myself as an undefeated fighter anyway," Whitehead said in reference to his amateur career that included a broze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.
"I am not really that fussed by it - I wasn't fussed by it on the night - I was beaten by a better man on the night.
"That won't stop me going forward."
Whitehead said he had enjoyed catching up with Long after the fight, with the pair light-heartedly re-enacting their epic bout over a few drinks and laughs.
He did not rule out a return bout against the American down the road.
Connolly drew comparisons between Whitehead and the quote from iconic 1920s heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey: "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."
"The thing about Justin is he still has 'the ticker' to compete," he said.
"He knows he still has the heart to be in the big fight.
"He's having a go when people keep pointing to his age and saying that he shouldn't.
"He won't be labelled by his age and is an inspiration to young people by wanting to keep on doing what he enjoys."