A Wanganui boxer is making a name for himself in Australia ... by branding himself the "Wanganui Warrior".
Anthony Brownlie admits the name doesn't mean too much to the Aussies - and most of them struggle to pronounce it - but it is getting him noticed. So are his performances in the ring.
Brownlie, 26, who left his home town for Australia four years ago, has picked up two New South Wales state titles.
The former New Zealand amateur title-holder won the welterweight belt in October 2009, beating Ariel Omongos despite busting both his hands early in the fight.
And in March he out-pointed Hussein El Husseini to take the NSW light middleweight belt.
Ranked eighth in Australia at welterweight, Brownlie is eyeing a shot at the Aussie light welterweight title.
Brownlie, who started boxing in Wanganui as a 10-year-old, was back home this week with his trainer Losh Matthews.
"I had been trained by Losh as a kid and I went on to have a good amateur career in New Zealand," Brownlie said.
"Then I headed to Australia and ended up in Sydney. I was searching the internet and came across a gym there that was being run by Losh, so we got back in touch."
The revived relationship has already brought success ... and hopefully more to come.
Wanganui Warrior keen to win more titles in Oz
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.