The champion boxer was pouring concrete for a shower block at the former Harvey Norman store he’s turning into a gym at Warwick Grove Shopping Centre.
Greenzone Fitness, which he plans to open in mid-July, is across the road from a house he rented with a mate before representing Australia at the Sydney Olympics.
The former Scarborough boy is happy to be returning to Warwick for his first gym in an enterprise he hopes to eventually expand across the country.
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READ NOW‘Looking to life after boxing I’ve dipped my toes in a few other areas that weren’t really compatible with what I’ve done in my profession in the last 20 years,’ he said.
‘I’m glad I’ve found my niche and I’m sticking to what I know and what I’m comfortable with and that is the fitness industry, getting in shape, getting in physical condition, looking after yourself.’
He said the ‘community-oriented’ gym would be staffed 24 hours a day and cater for not just elite athletes.
Was it tough lifting the barrows of concrete?
‘No, mate, I’m a carpenter by trade,’ he said. ‘In my apprenticeship I used to do a lot of concreting as well.
‘It isn’t really carpentry, but we used to do a lot of form work and steel and pour our own concrete.
‘So, no, mate, I keep very fit physically.’