Date of Birth: 22/05/77

Age Started Boxing: Started training when I was 12 years old

Amateur Record: Not exactly sure of my amateur record, but from what I remember it was about 45 fights, say for about 33 wins.

Professional Record: 39 bouts , 27 wins 9 losses 3 draws

First Boxing Memory: I was about 4 or 5 watching my Dads friend's son Craig Smart box at an amateur tournament out at Chinchilla.

Favourite Current Fighter: Have to be Manny Pacquiao he's on fire at the moment

All-Time Fighter: Gee it's a hard one to pick as I have few favourites but if I had to pick one it'd have to be Marvellous Marvin Hagler, love his style.

Favourite All-Time Fight: Loved the Thriller in Manila man those guys threw everything they had at each other, would've loved to have seen that one live. Also any fight between the Awesome Foursome Hagler, Hearns, Duran and Leonard.

Favourite Music: I like all types of music it just depends what mood I'm in. At the moment I'm listening to an Aussie Rap group The Rank Individuals great stuff.

Favourite Movie/s: Oh this is a hard one too as I love my movies! Young Guns would have to be up there for sure I also rate Full Metal Jacket pretty high too but way too many in the memory bank just to choose one.

Job Outside of Boxing: I work as a Plasterer and also work at our gym Fighting Fit as a personal trainer Pre-fight Meal: Can't go past lasagne or pasta but sometimes a nice big steak will do the job too. Toughest Part about being a fighter: Dieting/Cutting weight! Nothing is worse than sitting round smoko with an apple an all the boys are pulling out pies and burgers and stuff!

Funny Boxing Memory:

Watching my brother Matt fight a guy down in Ballina. Matty knocked him down and the guy got up and started jumping up and down like a kangaroo to fire himself up funny stuff one of those had to be there moments.

Toughest Opponent Faced:

I'd have to say Ranee Ganoy. Hardest punching man I ever faced in the ring or even sparred. We had a war for 5 rounds with the fight swinging back and forth but in the end he got me trapped on the ropes landing big shots to the body and I just had nothing left in the tank to move or throw back so referee Brad Vocale wisely stopped it. His corner said that Ranee nearly didn't make it out for the 5th round himself.

What's your training routine before a fight like:

Lots of cardio and lots of padwork, also this year we added more weights to our routine as I stepped up a division so we tried for a bit more strength.

After a fairly successful year in 2008, what does 2009 hold for Mick Shaw:

Well it's going to be a quiet first half of the year. We were offered a fight in February but I have injured my foot so we gave that one a miss. In March, my partner Jen and I are expecting our new baby girl so Im going to work around that. I have a possible fight against Lance Gostelow lined up in May but we'll have to get conformation on that one first. You have previously won the Australian Title, Would you like to fight for a regional and if so... which one would it be: I'll fight for a regional this year I think, most likely for the IBO Asia Pacific Light Welterweight belt.

You have fought Matt Paulley twice in two very close fights, would you like a third matchup with him:

Yeah for sure I mean we had draw in our first fight which I honestly thought I won comfortably, Matt won our rematch in as you said was a very close fight that could of went either way. So yeah, would love another crack and the crowd at both fights really enjoyed our battles... only problem is I have moved back down to Light Welterweight but if the opportunity's there...

Currently being 32 and nearing the twilight of your career are there any fighters out there that you want to fight before you decide to hang up the gloves:

Solomon Egberime is one I'd like to fight. He says no one in Australia will fight him but I have my hand up.

Your name is known mainly in boxing circles only, what would you like to be remembered for and do you have any regrets:

I guess it I would like to be remembered for not being afraid of taking a loss on my record and as a guy who would not give up without a fight.

Who do you think the leading prospects are in Queensland? Do you think you need to go to the capital centres of Australian Boxing namely Sydney and Melbourne to make a name for yourself:

I reckon at the moment Jason Kanofski and Jason Hartmann are probably the two young guys coming through ranks that'll make it at least on the national scene. I do think a win or two in Sydney or Melbourne helps with national coverage but I don't think you have to be based there, though I must say high quality sparring in Queensland can be hard to get at times

You are known as a boxer having won a majority of fights on points, do you think having a knockout punch is essential to create a fan base and make some decent money:

Yeah I guess so, I mean the more exciting a fighter you are the more people that will pay to see you knock opponents out. I think a Knockout punch is a must for the world stage.

Being one of two fighting brothers in boxing, is there any rivalry between yourself and your brother Matt:

Being older than Matt I had it over him for the first couple years we trained but then he filled out a bit more than I so our spars were quite feisty at times but as we got older and more respect for each other's talents and we learned to be a bit more sensible. I must say Matt was one of the best amateurs I've ever seen, Im not saying because he is my brother his record in his last year as a am was something like 13 bouts for 13 wins with 11 knockouts. He fought the best in the country including win over Paul Miller (Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist) at the Queensland Titles.

Do you think you need to be Champion of your Country before moving onto a regional title, if so why do so many Australian Champions hand in their belt? Do you think the Australian Title is losing its relevance:

In my opinion even though I have and will be fighting for a regional, I would much rather fight for the Aussie belt any day. For me there is no bigger honour than to be this countries champ (besides a world title). Also I would love to see only current or recent Aussie champs being eligible to fight for a regional title. But I am hoping our officials will come up with another system that puts the Aussie belt above anything other regional title. Bring back State title to Aussie title to Commonwealth title to World Title!

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

I have so many people to thank; first I'd have to thank Dad and Mum for giving me the opportunity to be what I always wanted to be... a boxer. Brad Smith for teaching me the basics of boxing and Brendan Smith for taking those basics and turned me into a real fighter. Glenn Azar without him I would never have got back in the ring after my eye injury in '99'. He has helped me not only in my boxing but outside the ring as well, legend. Also My Beautiful Partner Jen and our kids Tomikah and Manny makes it a whole lot easier to train and fight hard when there's a reason to do it.