Kris Terzievski talks next fight, title dreams and media frenzy after Gallen win

He’s united the Australian and Australasian titles for the first time in 100 years, so what’s next for Craigieburn champion Kris Terzievski?

Kris Terzievski shows off his belts at Mace Fitness. Picture: Ben Higgins

Victorian champ, Australasian champ, Australian champ … next the world.

Craigieburn’s Kris Terzievski is eyeing off some big fights after uniting the Australian and Australasian heavyweight belts for the first time in 100 years with his win over Paul Gallen earlier this month.

The leftie is still feeling the affects of Gallen’s cement-hard head after a bruising 10-round unanimous points victory in Newcastle.

However, he’s ready to turn his attention to what’s next after rocketing up the world rankings.

“I think before the fight I was sitting 200-and-something and now I’ve moved up to 63rd in the world and with a few more wins that will increase,” Terzievski said.

Kris Terzievski in action against Paul Gallen.

“I’m now No.3 in the country behind a couple of good guys.

“Being the ANBF Australian and Australasian champion, obviously I’m ranked No.1 in those divisions, so the good opportunities will start presenting themselves.

“When you win a fight of that magnitude a few different challenges present themselves.

“Justis Huni’s promoter’s has floated something about challenging him, which would be awesome, and a new Bridgerweight division has opened up.”

Terzievski already owned the Australasian heavyweight belt after beating Waikato Falefehi in March and claimed the Australian heavyweight title after it was vacated by Huni.

Huni will fight Joe Goodall for the WBO Oriental and IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight belts in June.

Winning the Australian title was a long-held desire.

“The Australian championship eluded me in the amateurs, I competed for it twice and got a silver medal twice,” Terzievski said.

Kris Terzievski shows off his belts at Mace Fitness. Picture: Ben Higgins

“Going into the professional ranks it was definitely something I wanted to achieve and I think I’ve done it the right way – I became Victoria champion, Australasian champion and now Australian champion.

“The achievements I can do in my own backyard I’ve accomplished and now it’s about setting the bar a bit further and aiming for world level thing and challenging myself that way.”

The fight against Gallen catapulted Terzievski into mainstream media, a taste of Main Even pay-per-view boxing and a media frenzy – albeit mostly surrounding his opponent.

He said his four-week preparation felt like a “four-year apprenticeship” but the 32-year-old is certainly not getting ahead of himself.

A band of mates and plenty of former teammates at the Craigieburn Football Club have seen to that.

“It’s been a giant wave I’m jumping on, trying to take everything in my stride, and I’ve got some good mates that keep me level headed – you can’t get too cocky,” he said.

“I saw some footage (from Craigieburn), they had the fight on at the clubrooms, a few of the boys hit me up and said they owe me a beer because they loaded up.

“I’d fought on Main Event on some local shows but in terms of getting thrust into media and getting cameras thrust in your face, it was a four-year apprenticeship in four weeks – I got thrown in the deep end.”

Kris Terzievski lays a punch on Paul Gallen.

Whatever fight comes next, the Gallen fight and the intense preparation will stand Terzievski in good stead.

After dominating the first eight rounds, the Victorian had to withstand a last-ditch surge from Gallen in the ninth that almost stole the fight.

Terzievski said without training from legendary coach Ray Giles and Jake Moller at Mace Fitness he might not have lasted.

“Jake’s like a mad scientist, it’s pretty unorthodox but I’ve found so many gains and trusting the process I’ve come on leaps-and-bounds athletically,” Terzievski said.

“Then with my coach Ray Giles, he’s 79 years old, he’s an old school Mickey and I’ve been blessed to have him in my corner and showing me the art of boxing.

“(The ninth round) was unknown territory for me, the most I’ve gone in my career was my previous fight which was eight rounds.

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“I felt like I was dominating the start of the ninth round and then coming to the back end I was thinking ‘oh no, what’s happening here’.

“It turned into a bit of a slugfest, which is out of character for me, but I was exhausted, I was really feeling the pinch.

“Then when the bell going into the 10th it was a motivational thing … it was literally a bull and matador scenario, he was charging and I was getting out of the way, and to find something in that last round I was really proud of myself.

“After the fight, I was nowhere, Ben Damon said it looked like I’d had 10 beers.”