There’s a comforting beat – an almost hypnotic rhythm – in the sound of a speed ball being pounded by a boxer.
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Thwackita, thwackita, thwackita, thwackita.
Anthony McCracken looks right at home training at Wagga’s PCYC but he isn’t here for the atmosphere.
“I definitely want to fight this year,” McCracken says.
With two-year old son, Brock, by his side and three-week old Kobe at home, McCracken has priorities outside the ring.
But he can’t shake the feeling of unfinished business.
Known as “The Bull”, McCracken beat Kiwi David Alou in November 2014 to claim the WBA Pan African and WBO Asia Pacific Cruiserweight belts.
Last March was his last fight. A successful defence of those titles against Samoa’s Vaitele Soi made it four straight wins, and the world was beginning to take note.
“That shot him up in the WBO and WBA rankings to about 12,” trainer Terry Neason points out.
“He got offered some decent fights, in the Ukraine mainly.”
McCracken says he was the highest ranked cruiserweight in Australasia.
“I had just knocked off the two best guys in the area.
“I got myself in a position that I’ve worked my whole career to get to – to be at that elite level – then this eye injury has come up.”
That was August, when McCracken was told he needed surgery on his eye.
Now given the all clear to resume his career, the 32-year old doesn't want to let his opportunity pass.
“No if I stopped now, 10 years down the track I’d be like, ‘Why the hell didn’t I give it a nudge? I was that close.’
“While I’ve still got a bit left, I want to keep going.”
McCracken still holds those belts and hopes they’ll encourage the Ukraine and Russia challengers who were making contact last year.
“They look at my record (26 fights; 18 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw) and they could easily think – he doesn’t have the best record, we’ll take this guy. That’s what I want them to think though.”
The dream is to break into the top 10 of one of boxing’s better-regarded sanctioning bodies.
“I reckon I can compete. But that’s where the elite level is and you’re in a different game then. They’re all fit, they all punch hard and they all take punches good.”
As Neason oversees a session including ball work, bag work and shadow boxing, the trainer says McCracken’s best is still ahead of him.
“Anthony is still on the improve. We’re trying to do things and he’s responding.”