BOXING: Joshua English admits that two years ago when he went to his first boxing world championships, he was just happy to be there.

So happy that he got a bit caught up in all the excitement, and in the blink of an eye, it was all over.

“I remember it was a big event, bigger than I thought it would be,” English said.

“The occasion sort of came and went, and it was gone before I even knew it. So I’ll definitely be attacking it different this time.

“The first time I think you could look back and just say I was happy to be there. But this time there’s Olympic spots on the line, and I’ve got a sole purpose of winning a medal and getting an Olympic spot.

“I’m a lot more focused this time.”

He was 21 at the Kazakhstan World Championships. This week the 23-year-old Melbourne accountant will be in Doha at world championships number two, with a totally different attitude.

“100 per cent I’m in the zone,” English said.

“This world championships will be pretty different to any other world championships. Only the best 25 in the world from each division will be there, whereas in previous years there could be 50 or 60 guys in each division.

“So there are no easy fights. 100 per cent I believe I can beat any of these 24 other guys on my day. If I perform at my best I know I can beat every single one.”

Comparing English’s preparations for the 2013 and 2015 world championships is like chalk and cheese.

In 2013 he was almost like an over-excited tourist. This time in Doha he is focused on the big picture – winning a medal and booking a place at next year’s Rio Olympics.

English’s biggest problem is always going to be getting fights in his 49kg division. At the recent Oceania Championships he didn’t have an opponent. At Australian championships he’s often sitting around waiting until the final day before getting into the ring.

“In Australia domestically, and in Oceania, there are not many people in my weight,” he said.

“I have to take whatever I can get. A couple of weeks ago I had to fight up a weight.”

The lack of competition in Australia led to English and Australia’s 2012 Olympic boxing captain, Luke Jackson, heading to the United States for more experience.

It was an incredibly opportunity, which included sparring with current WBO junior welterweight champion, Terence Crawford, as well as a handful of up and coming Cuban boxers.

The boys also spent some time at the gym of boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather.

“That was pretty cool,” English said.

“We learned heaps. Even when we weren’t training, just watching the guys and seeing how they prepare.

“Even from two years ago, at my last world championships, I am way better prepared.

Nine Australians will be boxing at these world championships, which begin in Doha on Tuesday night, Australian time.

BOXING AUSTRALIA