Alex Winwood has described himself as a mix between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr as he bids to become the fastest Australian male to win a boxing world title.
Winwood, with a professional record of 4-0, will face WBA minimum-weight world champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong at Perth's HBF Stadium on Saturday night.
If Winwood wins the crown in what is just his fifth professional fight, he would eclipse Jeff Fenech's seven-bout journey to win the IBF world bantamweight title in 1985.
Standing in Winwood's way is Thailand star Niyomtrong, who boasts a perfect 24-0 record and has successfully defended his title 11 times since claiming it in 2016.
The pair took part in a public workout at Big Rigs Gym on Wednesday, with Niyomtrong clearly taking it easy in front of the cameras.
But come fight night, Niyomtrong will unleash the full array of weaponry that has catapulted him to stardom in his homeland Thailand.
Not that Winwood is worried, with the proud West Australian confident in his own abilities.
"I'm Roy Jones Jr meets Mike Tyson in a five-foot-two frame," the 158cm Winwood said.
"I can punch like Tyson, especially on the inside.
"I'm devastating, like Roy Jones. I can knock you out close, long. I'm very elusive, like Roy.
"I've got rhythm. I've got flow. No one can be in there with me."
Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight world champion, while Jones Jr is also a legend of the sport having held multiple world championships in four weight classes.
During a trip to the US, Winwood had the chance to cross paths with Jones Jr and do pad work with him.
"He's just a very genuine person and someone I hope I can call a friend," Winwood said.
"I really felt like he was very down to earth and very willing to share his experience and wealth and knowledge."
Winwood also boasts plenty of other firepower in his corner.
Angelo Hyder is his trainer, with former world champion and current promoter Danny Green another mentor.
Winwood says Saturday night will be the "biggest moment" of his life.
It's been a meteoric rise for Winwood since his first professional fight in November, 2022, but the journey has been much longer than most people think.
"I've trained for 12 years to become an overnight success," said Winwood, who featured for Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
"People say, 'Oh, this is fast'. To me, it doesn't feel fast. It feels like a long process.
"Since turning professional, yes, it has been a fast track.
"But I threw my hat in the ring and I said it from the first day that I want to fight the best and I want to become a world champion as fast as I can.
"And if I don't have what it takes, then I'll find out along the way, but I'm willing to test myself."
