Charlie Joyner crowned new Australian amateur cruiserweight kickboxing champion

Kickboxer Charlie Joyner prides himself on his champion mentality. Now he has a championship title to match.

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Kickboxer Charlie Joyner prides himself on his champion mentality.

Now he has a championship title to match.

The Castle Hill fighter defeated Mackenzie Cunningham by decision last month to be crowned the new Australian amateur cruiserweight champion.

For Joyner, who represents Evolution gym in Rouse Hill and Castle Hill, the fight was just a formality.

Charlie Joyner defeated Mackenzie Cunningham by decision to be crowned the new Australian amateur cruiserweight kickboxing champion. Picture: Angelo Velardo

"Honestly, there was no real surprise when my hand was raised," he said.

"You have to be able to visualise yourself achieving your goals to stand any chance of actually achieving them. We all have the abilityto go after what we want in life, but the difference between those who do and those who don't is simply the mentality that they hold."

The victory marked Joyner's second-straight win over Cunningham following a knockout win in a non-title bout last year.

It was Joyner’s second-straight win over Cunningham following a quick knockout victory in September last year. Picture: Angelo Velardo

"I knew this fight wouldn't be as explosive or over as quickly as Mackenzie would have prepared to prevent an early-stoppage," Joyner said.

"There is often a bit of ambiguity with quick knockouts as they can be called 'flukes', so I wanted to make sure this time that there was no doubt as to who the better fighter is.

"Consequently it was a dominant victory. I controlled the fight and won each round."

Despite his confidence heading into the fight, Joyner said he couldn't help but be overcome by emotion as his hand was raised.

"It still hasn't fully sunk in," he said.

"I had around 100 people travel up to Toukley (on the Central Coast) to support me, so I got a great reception. For me the highlight of the night was the energy and passion of those supporting me.

He expects this title to be the first of many. Picture: Angelo Velardo

"Winning titles is great, but it means nothing if you can't share it with those closest to you. The outpouring of emotions from those around me is something I will cherish forever and something that I have reflected on gratefully every night since the fight."

As for what comes next, Joyner said that he wouldn't be much of a champion if his road ended here.

"I feel like this is the first of many titles and the beginning of an exciting journey," he said.

"I want to keep challenging myself and evolving as a martial artist and a person. I'm going to keep winning bigger and better titles against tougher and more experienced opponents.

"I honestly feel like there is no ceiling to what I can achieve in this sport."