By Anthony Cocks
Featherweight contender Luke ‘Action’ Jackson 17-1 (7) has made the difficult decision to relocate to Sydney to further his boxing career.
The 34-year-old proud Tasmanian will leave his home in Hobart on the Apple Isle to concentrate on boxing full time at coach Billy Hussein’s Bodypunch Boxing Gym in Lakemba.
“Tasmania is my home and I’m a passionate Tasmanian, but I’ve made the decision to make the move to Sydney,” Jackson announced on Saturday. “I’ve been thinking about this move for a while and I know if I don’t do it now, it will never happen.
“For the past six years I’ve tried to balance my own business and my professional boxing career. I’ve tried to have it all, but deep down I know that both of these aspects of my life have suffered due to the other.”
Jackson, who unsuccessfully challenged Carl Frampton for the interim WBO featherweight title last year, has been splitting his time between his Hobart gym and his training camps in Sydney.
“Boxing is my life and I only have a short time left to have a crack at ticking some more goals off the list,” he continued.
“Because of that I have made the decision to step away from Action Fitness Centre for the next little bit and give boxing everything I can by training and living in Sydney.
“I’ve always seized opportunities and run with them and I don’t want the end of my boxing career to be plagued by regrets... This is a big decision for me but with no risk, there’s no reward.”
The London Olympian, who rebounded from the Frampton loss with a comprehensive eight-round points victory over Rivo Rengkung on MJA Platinum’s inaugural ‘Inception’ card last December, is looking to get back into the world championship mix in 2019.
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start, a new chapter and the chance to do things a bit differently as I still have so much to give, stay tuned!” Jackson said.