KANGAROO Flat boxer Justin Whitehead is Australia’s newest heavyweight champion in the country’s professional ranks.Whitehead, 39, capped a long and arduous journey to the top of his game by winning Friday night’s showdown with Colin Wilson in the Atrium Room at FlemingtonRacecourse.At the end of a gruelling 10-round contest in just the fifth but of his professional career, Whitehead was declared the champion on a split decision, 2-1.The 39-year-old said the victory was the “most important” in a career that has included winning bronze at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, and the national amateur heavyweight crown on three occassions.“To fight for the Australian title was always the goal,” Whitehead said of a comeback to the sport that began more than three years ago.In Friday night’s bout, Whitehead was well ahead on points after the seventh round. A calf injury and then right shoulder problem meant he was under intense pressure from Wilson in the last three rounds.“I really had to work to stay out of trouble. Colin was throwing some big shots.”Trained by Barry Quinlan and Kris Burns at Justice Boxing in Moama, Whitehead endured a tough run in the lead-up to the bout.Two previous challenges had been called off - the first because of financial concerns with a promoter,and the second when Wilson injured his legs in a work accident.“To fight for the national title took longer than we had hoped, but to finally get to do so and win was an incredible feeling,” Whitehead said.The boxing ace said the support from family, friends and the team at Justice Boxing meant a lot to him. And there are no plans for retirement.“To defend the Australian title is just as important to me.”Burns said Whitehead’s victory was an incredible achievement.“He has won the country’s most prestigious heavyweight title, and was tested in many ways,” Burns said of capturing the Australian National Boxing Federation belt.“Justin has won the national title in just the fifth bout of his professional career.”Justice Boxing achieved a winning double on Friday’s card as Ben “Bang Bang” Costello struck back from a standing eight count in the first round to win the middleweight bout with Ben Horra on points.Check out a slideshow of Justin Whitehead on his way to victory at the Bendigo Advertiser's photo gallery.