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HIT Factory's Jocelyn Amiet will head across the Tasman this weekend for a showdown against New Zealand amateur team representative Nadine Shatford.
The bout at the Queens of the Pacific Invitational International Women's Boxing Championships will be the Bendigo boxer's first time in the ring since the national championships on the Gold Coast last November.
The Anzac weekend event features some of Australia and New Zealand's best amateur boxers, with some using the championships as part of their Olympic campaign.
Amiet will be part of a team of six Victorian women making the trip to the Lower Hutt that includes former Bendigonian Carly Salmon.
Trainer Danniel Burton said the 54kg bout against the Kiwi national was a huge step up for Amiet.
"She has been at the top of women’s boxing in Victoria for the past two years and being able to compete in big fights is what has stopped her from going a step further and winning the national title," Burton said.
"She has been out of the ring since the nationals in November so it will be a challenge, especially if Shatford has been traveling and fighting with the national team.
"But Jocelyn loves a challenge and has been really putting in and sparring regularly and working hard on improving her game."
The Golden Square-based gym will also have Tully Scanlon in action this weekend in Brisbane, where he will be putting the final preparations on his tilt at the national championship.
She (Amiet) has been at the top of women’s boxing in Victoria for the past two years and being able to compete in big fights is what has stopped her from going a step further and winning the national title.
- Trainer Danniel Burton
Scanlon will fight Queensland 52kg champion Ben Cameron-Hands at Deception Bay.
"Tully beat Cameron-Hands in a unanimous decision in the semi-final of last year's nationals, so Ben will have something to prove and we expect him to come out strong," Burton said.
"Tully has worked hard in the gym training twice a day working on strength and explosiveness in the morning and boxing technique at night.
"He will compete in the 54kg division at the Australian titles in May on the Gold Coast."