IT HAS been some time between fights for Dubbo's Ayla Barker but she will step back into the ring in a big way later this week as part of the Australian Amateur National Boxing Titles in Marrickville, Sydney.
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Barker, the current holder of three titles, was selected to represent her state after impressing so far in her career on her way to a 10-1 record.
The Titles, battled out between each state and territory, begin on Thursday and qualifiers continue Friday before Saturday's final.
It's been a frustrating build-up for Barker and her trainers, Robert 'Gummy' Toomey and Graham Wallace, with bouts hard to come by since her unanimous win over Sky Falzon at Dubbo earlier this year.
Late cancellations have been all too common an occurrence with other trainers and boxers now wary of Barker's sheer power.
Despite that, Barker has been flat out in the gym with her trainers and Wallace said the team is feeling positive about her chances.
"She trains the house down and anything can happen now," he said.
"She's just improved so much and if she was down in Sydney she would be as good as anyone."
Run by the Australian Boxing League (ABL), Wallace described the bouts as hugely entertaining.
"It's really good now, people spend a lot of money to go watch someone like Anthony Mundine fight but they don't expect these fights to be brilliant," he said.
"It's a strong league and she'll be up against some good girls."
Barker's team toyed with the idea of going pro with the talented pugilist recently but with only two other professional women in her division in the country, it was a huge commitment.
Instead the focus is on the National Titles as well as a potential bout in Dubbo next month.
"She's got a great jab and beautiful right hand so whoever she's against will know they're in a fight," Wallace said.
