Dunedin trainer Ryan Henry has just gone up a division.
The 38-year-old director of the New Zealand Fight and Fitness Academy has been named as a selector for Boxing New Zealand.
He is responsible for keeping tabs on the South Island's best boxers while fellow selector Jake Rapira will work the North Island circuit.
It is a big nod for the work Henry has been doing with his own fighters at his Dunedin gym.
''I think everything in the last 10 years that I've put into boxing is starting to come back which I'm real excited about,'' he said.
''We've been most successful gym four out of five years at the South Island Golden Gloves, and winning the most scientific trainer's award and having had the South Island's most scientific boxer for three years in a row ... has definitely helped.
''Obviously, they see something in what I'm doing and I've got the support of Canterbury Boxing ... which helps.''
Henry's relationship with the Otago Boxing Association is not as cosy.
He split with the association following a dispute and his fighters have competed under the Manawatu banner, while at national events, since 2013.
''That rift is still there. It might get mended one day; I'm not too sure on that.''
Henry felt boxing in the South Island was '' growing all the time'' and his first act in the role will be at a junior selection camp in Hamilton later this month.
''We've got a No 1 boy, Hosea Watson, who is going to the Youth Commonwealth Games. He is a good prospect for the future.
''Hosea is based out of Canterbury and has had over 50 fights. He went to the junior worlds last year.''
