Mununjali boxer Dana Coolwell is about to make a major leap in his career, stepping on to one of the biggest stages in world boxing.
The 25-year-old featherweight from Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, will fight undefeated American Bruce Carrington on the undercard of the highly anticipated Jake Paul v Mike Tyson event on November 16.
The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and will be broadcast on Netflix's first-ever live-streamed boxing event, putting Coolwell in front of millions of viewers worldwide.
Reflecting on how he secured a spot on this historic card, Coolwell credits his team and a strong performance earlier this year.
"It's thanks to my team," he said.
"I started the year strong with a win, getting me high in the IBA rankings."
That win, a unanimous decision over Fernando Tagpuno Jr., helped propel Coolwell into a prime position for bigger fights.
"Me and Bruce [Carrington] are quite close in the rankings, so we thought it would be a good fight for the future," Coolwell said.
"My manager got onto it, and it's too big of an opportunity to turn down."
Carrington, the current WBO Intercontinental and IBF International champion, presents a formidable challenge, but Coolwell sees this fight as a pivotal moment in his career.
"Two up-and-coming prospects in the featherweight division waiting to crack the top 10," Coolwell said.
"For me to come in there and get the win will skyrocket me into the world boxing scene."
Coolwell's boxing journey began in 2013, after initially playing rugby league.
"I was playing footy, and then I saw a gym open and joined that," he said.
"Once I finished my footy season, I had my first amateur fight and never looked back."
His passion for boxing has only grown since, and he now stands on the cusp of global recognition.
As for the event's main fight, Coolwell offered a balanced take.
"My heart says Mike Tyson, but my head says Jake Paul because of his youth," he said.
Despite the mixed opinions, Coolwell appreciates what the event brings to the sport.
"The way I see it, it's good because it's bringing a lot of eyes to the sport, which is a good opportunity for me to perform at my best."
The opportunity to fight in front of millions as an Indigenous Australian is not lost on Coolwell, though he remains focused on the task ahead.
"I try not to think about it too much and stay focused," he said.
"Repping my mob and being the first fighter on a Netflix card is pretty cool."
Coolwell's coach, Stephen Pitt, who has trained him since his early days, is confident that the world is about to see what he has known for years.
"I've known Dana's a star since he walked in my gym 12 years ago," Pitt told the ABC.
"The entire world's going to see what I've known for a long time. We're not the underdog, we're the underestimated."
With training camp set to begin in Santa Monica, California, later this week, Coolwell is determined to make the most of this opportunity.
Coolwell's team is also open to having discussions with getting more sponsors on board, especially ahead of a fight on a big stage like the Netflix card.
