WA’s Winwood ready to take on minimum-weight world champion in Perth

Trainer Angelo Hyder and former Australian boxing champion Danny Green believe the stars are aligning for Alex Winwood as the West Australian prepares for his shot at history.

Winwood (4-0) will be fighting in just his fifth professional bout when he takes on WBA minimum-weight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong at Perth’s HBF Stadium on Saturday night.

Alex Winwood.

Jeff Fenech’s seven-bout journey to claim the IBF bantamweight title in 1985 is the current Australian male record for the fastest path to a world title.

Indigenous star Winwood will beat that by two fights if he is crowned champion on Saturday night.

But it won’t be an easy feat against Thai star Niyomtrong, who boasts an impeccable 24-0 record, including nine knock-outs.

Niyomtrong’s golden run has included a whopping 11 successive title defences since claiming the crown in 2016.

But the 33-year-old hasn’t fought since July, 2022, with the extended stint out of the sport raising questions about potential ring rust.

That was a big reason why Hyder and Winwood decided to throw caution to the wind and accept the challenge of taking on the champion.

Alex Winwood with mentor Danny Green.

“It’s a very, very good advantage to us, and that’s why we decided to move Alex so quickly,” Hyder said.

“We thought that’ll be the difference – that he hasn’t fought for that long.

“We all agreed that, ‘mate, let’s take the chance, let’s go for our dreams’.

“There’s only one way to know how good you are, and that’s to get in with the best.

“If you want to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man.”

Green, who has been mentoring Winwood as part of his role in promoting the fight, is confident the 27-year-old has the tools to succeed.

“That inactivity (of his opponent) is going to be a factor” Green said.

“I won’t be surprised if Alex blows this guy away early.”

Niyomtrong brushed aside concerns over his inactivity, saying he has still been training hard during his period out of the ring.

Hyder, who has been working with Winwood since the rising star turned professional after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, knows his fighter faces a huge challenge.

“This is the longest reigning world champion in boxing today,” Hyder said.

“He’s had 11 title defences over eight years.

WBA minimum-weight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong.

“So Alex is up against the best and the two-year break is the reason why we said, ‘let’s get him while it suits us’.”

Winwood has described himself as a mix between heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson and the legendary Roy Jones Jr.

Green said the 158cm Winwood, who will have to be under 48kg to make weight for the fight, packed an unbelievable punch.

“People see him and they see his size, and they go, ‘He’s a little fella’,” Green said.

“But you don’t realise how hard he hits. He’s a very, very powerful puncher. It’s a gift.

“Punching isn’t about being big, muscly and strong. It’s about technique. It’s about ability.”

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