Boxer Aleksandr Martynenko came from Russia with gloves to take a state and national title

IN just six months and only two matches, boxer Aleksandr Martynenko has won a state and national title.

BOXER Aleksandr Martynenko has had only two fights since moving to Australia six months ago, but with those two matches he won a state and then a national title.

The 22 year old moved to Bondi Junction from Russia with his wife in August. Just two months later he contested and won the 81kg elite open division Boxing NSW state title.

In November he won the 81kg Australian amateur boxing title in Mackay.

Now under the tutelage of legendary trainer Johnny Lewis and coach Greg Stanton, Martynenko is getting used to Tamarama beach sand runs and Sydney's summer heat as he prepares for the Boxing Australia championships in February.

However, he can only fight in the championships if he is granted Australian citizenship.

"Wining the state and Australian titles was good, it made me feel great, but I want more," he said.

"I want to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games, and that could start from the championships in February. But I have to be a citizen first."

Martynenko started boxing as a 12 year old in his home country under his father's tutelage and said he never considered any other sport.

"It was the only sport I'd ever seen so when I went to the gym that first time, I knew it was the right sport," he said.

"To me, it was the only sport."

Martynenko had 40 fights in Russia before moving to Australia. His new coach Greg Stanton said it was easy to see the Russian had what it took to be a success in the ring.

"He's got great defence, great attack, great combinations and a good jab he's the whole package," Stanton said.

"In Russia they train them like ballerinas with their skill. Here in Australia we're more like brawlers. But you can just tell with Aleks that he was made to be a great boxer."