A veteran Wodonga fighter has vowed to continue after retaining his perfect amateur record.
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Marcus Dittko defeated Wangaratta's Shane Hughes in a super heavyweight bout at Wodonga and District Turf Club earlier this month.
The 44-year-old now has an 8-0 record since returning to the sport around a decade ago.
"You're with such a good bunch of people and it's really good for mental health and discipline," he said.
"Just staying fit and active, it keeps you coming back and even though you get punished and cop a few in the scone (head), it's addictive."
The 188cm, 103kg Dittko boxed as a teenager, but gave it away for football, playing with a handful of clubs, including Barnawartha, Wodonga Saints and Murray Magpies.
But he's always had that passion for sports like Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
Given that, it takes a strong mind to deal with the constant punishment.
"Lots of sparring, lots of rounds in the gym, that's the only way you get 'prepped' for it," he said.
"I don't think about it, the adrenaline's going, that's the whole reason you do it, for that adrenaline to be honest.
"The week leading up to it (a bout) you're kind of drip-fed adrenaline because you're thinking about what could happen, all the outcomes, scenarios run through your head and none of them come to fruition in the ring.
"When you're thinking about it you get that buzz and then you step in there under the lights and go, 'righto, it's time to have a bit of fun'.
"It's (the buzz) indescribable, you're by yourself, it's just a true test of your will against the other guy I guess and your tool belt compared to his as to who can operate the best on the night."
Dittko is capable of switching stances, making him more unpredictable.
"I think being a fairly decent-sized bloke I'd like to hope I've got a bit of power behind me when I'm throwing them," he said.
"I wouldn't profess to being a dodger or weaver like (Mike) Tyson was, I just stand there and trade (punches)."
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That in-your-face approach in the ring is a world away from Dittko's occupation as a foster care case manager, where sensitivity rules.
"I have had people say, 'you're a fighter and then you work with kids', but those discipline acts at training helps when kids are at crisis point, you are able to maintain a calm composure," he said.
"I think the transferable skills are the determination you need through training, you need that same sort of outlook trying to get positive outcomes for your clients, that will to want to keep persisting and chasing success in both roles."
