Featherweight prospect Brock Jarvis 18-0 (16) could be fighting for a world title within 12 months according to his trainer and former three-weight world champion Jeff Fenech.
The 23-year-old Sydneysider, who is ranked number seven by the IBF, will take on New Zealander Nort Beauchamp 18-3 (3) in Canberra on 23. Victory will see a boost to his world ranking and put him within reach of the vacant IBF title.
In his last outing Jarvis walked through Mark Schleibs 12-1 (8) in five rounds in Canberra in December, impressing Fenech.
“It was a great performance – a great performance – and we’ll only get better from it,” Fenech told Sporting News.
“It was a great performance by Brock because he fought on the inside without losing for five rounds. He just wore him down.
“Brock’s got all the other tools as well. He can box, he can jab, he can move. But he didn’t need to.
“Within one minute, Brock got into a position and said ‘this is what I’m great at, I don’t need to move for this little guy and I don’t need to use my height. I’m winning on the inside.’
“And he did it. It was his own brain doing it.
“He could’ve gone out and jabbed and gone eight rounds. But by doing that you give the guy the chance to hit you with overhand rights and whatever else.
“Brock worked it out on his own, he went in, did his work and figured it out.”
Jarvis is more circumspect about his performance.
“I don’t think I performed at my best,” he said to Sporting News.
“There was a few times there where I was a bit reckless. I’m better than that.
“There’s still heaps I can work on and do better.
“But I’m getting better. I was pretty relaxed going into the fight and have been enjoying the experience.”
The plan going forward is to take Jarvis to the United States for training once travel restrictions are eased. Fenech says the top-quality sparring available in the lighter weight classes is critical to Jarvis’ development as a fighter.
“I want to go to America so we can spend a good 12 months getting the best sparring in the world and hopefully be ready for the world title,” he said.
“I’m not saying he’s not ready now, but we’re going to fight for the biggest crown in the world and when we do, I’m going to make sure our preparation is 100 per cent.
“It’s the best sparring in the world – the best of everything. We’ll set up camp in the United States and go from there.
“We went there, had some sessions and Brock sparred amazingly.
“It’s tough work there. You’re waking up, training, sparring, you’re in a war every day. But that’s Brock’s life at the moment and that’s how he knows he’s going to become a world champion.”