Sam Ah-See gave a passionate interview yesterday at the official announcement of his national title fight in a fortnight.

Ah-See will fight Shannon King for the vacant Australian National Boxing Federation super welterweight title on Friday, February 21 at the Orange Function Centre, the first time Orange has hosted a national title fight.

“It’s a blessing I’ve been given the chance to come back and fight for an Australian title here,” he said.

“As much as it means a lot to me to bring a title fight back here, it means so much more to the people I grew up with.

“It’s only right to bring a title fight back to my home town.”

Ah-See has been training with Anthony Mundine ahead of the bout, and said he is in the best physical and mental shape of his career. 

“This has been one of the best preparations I’ve had,” Ah-See explained.

“My coaches have been pushing me pretty hard, the last few weeks have been intense. [Sparring with Mundine] has been the best thing to happen to me in this prep. Every time I train with Mundine I go to the next level.”

The 22-year-old southpaw dismissed any notion of being intimidated by the heavy handed King’s imposing record. 

King is 7-0-0, all his wins coming via knockout, but Ah-See said his power is his weakness.

“Even in kickboxing he knocked most of his opponents out,” Ah-See said.

“I’ve been boxing a lot longer than he has so I’ll rely on that to get me home. I don’t think he’ll be able to land many shots on me, I’m too fast for him.”

Ah-See’s manager Matt Rose said several big name local football stars were lined up to fight on the bout’s undercard, before asking the local community to get behind the fight.

“I’m working on the rugby league and union clubs to organise some exhibition fights,” he said.

“With what’s been in the media recently with the ‘coward punch’ we’re hoping the local clubs will get on board, and hopefully I’ll be able to announce some fighters soon. The Orange Aboriginal Health Service has come on board as a major sponsor, but we’re still looking for more support around town.”

Any businesses interested in supporting the event should contact Matt Rose via email on matt@blackmoneyenterprises.com.au.