Date of Birth: 27/7/83

Age Started Boxing: I started boxing the first week of high school age 12

Amateur Record: I had approximately 97 amateur fights, 72 wins 25 losses and about 30 exhibition bouts
9 State titles, 3 Australian titles (twice runner-up) and an Oceanic Champion

Professional Record: 8-0 (5 ko's)

First Boxing Memory: I sparring my first day in the gym and sending one kid after another out to the tap with bleeding noses, I had my first fight after just 1 week of training

Favourite Current Fighter: As far as favourite fighters go... that changes regularly. Im extremely impressed with Manny Pacquiao, he is not just an all round fighter but is using his gift to improve the lives of so many in his homeland.

All-Time Fighter: As far as favourite fighters of all time there have been so many which have been great and to mention some without the others would be criminal. I was very lucky to be able to train alongside Kostya Tszyu in training camp and for him to make time for our state amateur team when he was at his best definitely puts him up there with the best of all time.

Favourite All-Time Fight: To say I've got a favourite fight would be a lie. I appreciate watching good clean boxing and like any fight I can learn from but I am not an obsessed boxing fan. I've been boxing full time for 13 years so when not training or fighting myself im trying to work on the other areas of my life rather than ranking other fighters or fights

Favourite Music: My musical tastes are quite varied; it just depends on the environment that you're in. When at home or in the car I enjoy kicking back to rock, hip hop, reggae and blues, I love music which make you think about the lyrics rather than simply the commercialised hits by famous people.

Favourite Movie/s: Like music I like movies which make you think about their meaning rather than just the normal Hollywood junk. The Power of One has been probably been one of the most influential movies on my life.

Job Outside of Boxing: I've had many jobs... this includes being a brickie, labourer, carpenter, builder, furniture deliverer, cleaner, advertising and marketing but most of my work life has been spent in the kitchen as a chef, which I first started at the age of 14. I have been blessed to be able to hang up the chef's hat for now and follow my boxing career,

Pre-fight Meal: Im the biggest fan of pasta so that's my perfect pre fight meal.

Funny Boxing Memory: I have seen too many laugh out loud moments to mention them all... but seeing the ropes snap in a heavyweight bout and two boxers trading big right hands which left them both on the canvas facing an 8 count would have to rank up there.

Toughest Part about being a fighter: I would have to say the hardest thing about being a fighter is the isolation, because boxing is an individual sport or way of life. There is countless hours spent preparing by yourself, there is also the isolation of having to withdraw from many social events. Boxing is a very self motivated sport.

Toughest Opponent Faced: I would have to say the Thai opponent Saensak Singmanasak that I faced for the WBF Intercontinental Title in Singapore in 2006. He wins that one hands down... I would have dropped him 8 or 9 times over the 6 rounds that it lasted. He was unconscious on his back 3 times and each time climbed to his feet and fought back hard, there was no three knockdown rule in affect and the doctor was forced to call it off due to health concerns.

What's your training routine before a fight like: My training routine will remain secretive for now. I can't go giving it all away just yet... let's just say im doing nothing that hasn't been done before; gym work, road work and sparring are the essential building blocks for all boxers. I have my own few little tricks but they won't go into print

You were inactive for 17 months and completely fell off the radar... you then returned out of the blue in the US of all places. What was the reasoning behind the break and the move abroad:

The reason behind the leave of absence from the ring was down to a few things; lack of fight opportunities in Australia and time waiting for my US visa paperwork to be finalised. Finally due to delays in the promotion I headlined in New York.

On your US Debut, you fought American Torrence Daniels, who had been trained by Roger Mayweather and had faced some good fighters such as Filipino hotshot Bernabe Concepcion. How did you feel going into that fight after such a long layoff:

The bloke I fought first up in the states came from a good gym and had a great amateur record (two things I was unaware of due to my lack of googling him before the fight). Leading into the fight I felt great as I have confidence in my own ability. I prepared well and I saw that he had a couple of losses so I knew that he was touchable. The long time between fights only made me more keen to get in there and get a win.

Two years ago, you were on hot on the trot in Australia with rave reviews about your potential and how you were going places, what happened:

Two years ago my career in Australia seemed to be kicking along nicely; I had gotten 5 wins up in a year (after sitting on the Australian title unchallenged for 10 months) under the guidance of Barry Michael. I had been told there would be more opportunities upcoming, but the politics of the sport meant I wasn't given a few title fights I was promised and since the Australian opponents in the Bantam and Super Bantamweight Divisions weren't with promoters, they weren't interested in putting me on their cards due to heavy expenses incurred from importing opponents unless i signed exclusive contracts with them.

In Australia, you were managed by Barry Michael and his father Len always assisting in your corner. Barry Michael was always beating the drum. What was the reason for parting ways:

I was very lucky to be taken under the wing of Barry Michael. He is a great guy and really treated me like family; there was never really a parting of the ways with him we are still good friends and talk often. He was busy in Melbourne doing his own promotions with locals headlining the shows and since we were based on the Gold Coast it just wasn't good business for him to be importing opponents for me when I didn't have the local following. I look forward to working with Barry again sometime in the future.

Your style is very flashy and somewhat arrogant, who do you base your style on and why do you appear to be so confident in the ring:

You might call me confident or arrogant in the ring when I'm fighting but that's all part of the game. Boxing is 70% mental and 30% physical, your opponent is constantly watching for weaknesses. If your not confident in the ring then your opponent see's this, I might go so far as to be a little arrogant when im boxing but you have to remember that this is a fight... if you can break your opponent down mentally then they fall apart. Some say its show boating to the crowd but it actually has nothing to do with that.

If you could fast forward your career by 2 years, where do you see yourself and what titles do you see yourself holding:

If I had a crystal ball I wouldn't be in boxing, I would be trading in the share market. I really couldn't say where I'll be in 2 years time but I have a feeling the next 2 years will be huge for me. I came over here last March to test the waters and I haven't looked back since.

After being based in the US for quite a while, do you now see Australian boxing as a small fish in a very big pond:

The Australian boxing scene may be tiny in comparison to US, but we have a lot of quality boxers, both amateur and professional so I see Australia as a very healthy breeding ground for future champions.

Exposure and good management is everything in boxing. Which path would you like to follow with one of the four major bodies:

The reason for me coming to the States is because boxing is more so about good management and exposure than sheer talent alone. At the moment I'm not chasing any of the organisation for a fight, I don't see the point in selecting one and ignoring the other three? My goal is to be Undisputed Champion and I won't be happy until I have all the belts.

Since you have left for the US, the void in the Bantamweight and Super-Bantamweight divisions have been filled by fighters such as Davey Browne, Fred Mundraby and Daniel Iannazzo. Have you heard of these fighters and if so what do you think of them:

You say that since I've left these name have filled the void...? Well these kids are decent fighters but they have been there for years. Daniel's (Iannazzo) management didn't want a bar of the fight, Fred's (Mundraby) camp wouldn't challenge me as the Aussie Champ and didn't fight for the Title until I gave it up to fight for a regional, then still avoided the fight. I prepared for 10 weeks to fight Davey Browne only to get told I was being replaced by an easier opponent 2 weeks out! After unsuccessfully trying to match with these and others I was left sitting on the apron so I've come to the land of plenty.

How long do you intend to reside in America for, Robbie Peden said he wouldnt return until he had won a World Title. Are you of the same opinion:

I see myself being here in the states on and off for the next 8 to 10 years to fully fulfil my boxing dreams and aspirations. Im not going to make any claims like Peden did (a lot of good that did him anyway) and actually I've already been home having spent Christmas with the family on the Gold Coast. I don't see this as a short term thing... this is my life, this is all I've ever wanted to be and im not in any rush to get the titles and rush home im in for the long haul!

Many boxing pundits claimed that you left Australia with some unfinished business to attend too... Do you think you left Australia prematurely without facing some good stiff Aussie talent:

To the critics back home I'd like to say thanks for thinking about me and keep talking about me. Anyone can sit back and put people down, it doesn't take a lot of intellect to do that and as for not facing good Aussie talent... well since I knocked out Mark Quon in the first round for the Aussie Title back in 2005, no Australian has wanted to fight. It's not like I wanted to be sitting around not fighting, I was still training full time and even seriously considered switching to MMA or Muay Thai due to lack of fights.

In closing, is there anyone you would like to thank:

In closing I have a few people to thank. First and foremost I would like to thank the almighty for making all of this possible. My father and trainer John Gazzard, for the countless hours and never ending financial support which has lead to this point... My manager Tony Graziano, promoter Tod Rouse and all the crew up there in Canastota New York for their support in bringing me to the States, to my other coaches who have all been instrumental in shaping me as a fighter Jim Maloney, Joc Duncan and Arthur Maloney. To Barry Michael for his involvement, support, hospitality and continued inspiration. To Sharon Anyos, the toughest and sweetest lady I know for her continued friendship, support and for being an inspiration to us all. To the whole Mundine camp for their hospitality and support, to Justin Fortune for taking me under his wing, treating me like family and reminding me of all the little things needed to become the champ and finally to all my friends and family thanks so much for your support (and thank you for supporting me and writing this article. A few juicy bits for you I've been offered a fight next month at the Playboy Mansion here in LA and also ill be fighting for the vacant WBF World Super-Bantamweight Title here in the States in the coming months).