Most weekends of late you'll find Wade Ryan in Sydney.
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The 10-hour round trip is a big effort but Ryan and his long-time trainer, David Syphers at Black 'n' Blue Boxing, hope for a big reward come March 31 when the Gunnedah boxer puts his IBO International Super Welterweight title on the line against Sydney's Koen Mazoudier.
Ryan's Australian title will also be up for grabs, Syphers said, with the fight to be held at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on the Tim Tszyu-Dennis Hogan undercard.
Syphers said the fight - which will be shown on Main Event - was a big one and provided good exposure for Ryan.
"You've gotta take the opportunities when they come - they may only come once," Syphers said.
"Wade was taken it and is putting himself in line for something bigger.
"Boxing on a Tim Tszyu undercard - it doesn't get much bigger than that at the moment."
And the reason for those trips to Sydney?
It's so Ryan can spar with Tyson Turner.
Syphers describes sparring to a boxer is what laps are to a swimmer before a race.
And finding the right partner is just as important.
"It's about putting the drills and skills into practice," Syphers said.
"It's very important. That's why we travel to Sydney. There's nothing in the country at that level."
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Syphers added: "He's very focused and very strong at the moment. After his last performance, we're trying to bring a bit more of that into the ring. His last performance was good but we're trying to improve by another 30 per cent on that."
Ryan won't be the only boxer from Black 'n' Blue jumping in the ring in the near future, either.
Bad Intentions 6 will be held at Gunnedah Town Hall on April 10.
Enja Prest and Albert Nolan will both have professional bouts while there will also be around 10 amateur fights.
For Nolan, it will be his second professional bout, two and a half years after his first, and he will take on Lee Fook.
"He had a leg problem and it just took him a little longer to get it right," Syphers said.
The fight night will see Prest in her first professional bout after a long time waiting.
She was supposed to have her debut in January but COVID-19 transmissions in Sydney put an end to that.
"She's very strong as well. She's keen and ready for it," Syphers said.
Ryan's sparring partner, Tyson Turner, will also fight on the card alongside several other professional bouts.
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