This Saturday the novice will contest four-time national title winner Rhys Adams for the EBC, set for broadcast on the US international sports channel ESPN. 

But Fenwick’s rise in boxing is quite unlike the Disney classic. 

Now 22, he began at the age of 18 at Goulburn’s Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC).

At the time, there was only a small space tucked in the corner of the larger weights room for boxing. 

A large red boxing bag, still in the gym today, was the chief equipment for the troubled teenager.

“I never committed. I couldn’t commit to anything back then,” he said. 

His training had stop-start intervals. Three months in the gym would be overshadowed by a five-month disappearing act. It was only when he reached 20 that he fought with purpose for the first time. 

“I was not stressed, or angry, but boxing was a relief. I was misled as a child, always finding myself in trouble,” he said.

“Once I found boxing, that was my guidance.” 

The apprentice painter now trains twice a day and makes a four-hour commute, multiple times a week, to the Grange High Performance Boxing Gym in Camden.

The EBC is an invitation-only competition. The opportunity was flagged with Fenwick when his coach, Anthony Redward, advised it would be a good opportunity to pick up. 

“If you want to take it, it’s up to you,” Fenwick said, recalling the casual conversation. After some thought he decided to give it a go.

The event is divided into female 56kg, male 63kg, 70kg and 78kg for three 3-minute bouts. Usually for novice boxers, it is two 2-minute bouts. For Fenwick, who had a break prior to the preliminary rounds, it was a slight struggle.

“I was inactive for seven months and was trying to bring my fitness back up. I wasn’t sure how I was going to go with a high level opponent,” he said. 

His first match was against hard-hitting Michael Black, whose long-ranging arms defeated Fenwick’s advances, losing against his first competitor.

“I went into the EBC telling myself the worst thing that can happen is if you lose a fight, but to just enjoy the experience,” Fenwick said. “I didn’t go with the attitude that I’d win all these fights, it was more I wanted to go there and fight these top-level guys and be competitive.” 

The first loss helped Fenwick push harder, defeating Isaiah Carter from the Stretton Boxing Club in Brisbane next. This gym is home to Jeff Horn, Australian world title holder who recently defeated Manny Pacquiao. 

Prior to the EBC, Fenwick had 10 fights under his belt, losing only one. EBC’s McCosker said Fenwick was a genuine contender who possessed an enduring toughness.

“With these types of fights, it’s heart and determination, because if I try match their skill, it’s not going to work,” Fenwick said. “I’ve got to try take them away from their game plan.” 

If Fenwick wins on Saturday, he will compete in the semifinals on Sunday for the grand finals on Monday. The fights will go to air from 8.30pm September 12 then weekly until November 14 on ESPN1.