Joel Brunker changes camp, discusses move to Lincoln Hudson

 
JOEL Brunker has learned that without struggle, there is no progress.

 
The 30-year-old is looking to make amends for a forgettable twelve month spell and has made wholesale changes to his team, starting with the head trainer role, which has since been filled by the regarded Lincoln Hudson.

 
Brunker (28-2, 16 KOs) was trained for the entirety of his professional career by long-time trainer John Barber. However, with Barber’s personal circumstances recently changing, Brunker was forced to find a replacement.

 
“John was moving away and he wouldn’t be able to be my coach anymore,” said Brunker to Aus-Boxing.

 
“I had been with John for over fifteen years,”

 
“Boxing with another coach wasn’t something I had never contemplated before,”

 
In Hudson, Brunker has aligned himself with a trainer that has a strong pedigree in moulding fighters. Hudson works with a large stable that includes Vic Darchinyan, Kye MacKenzie and Sam Ah-See amongst many others.

 
“I’ve known Lincoln Hudson for a long time and he was an obvious choice to help me continue with my world title chase,” he added. “I have settled in well here and it’s great to have a fresh pair of eyes on my boxing,”

 
Brunker will train under the guidance of Hudson at the Ultimate Training Centre (UTC) in St Marys.

 
The former Olympian is also looking for new management having separated from previous manager Adam Wilcock, who guided the Richmond native to a world title eliminator against Lee Selby in England in 2014.

 
When asked about the transition, a rejuvenated Brunker spoke with enthusiasm about the fledgling partnership.

 
“I am now doing most of my training at UTC with Lincoln and I’m enjoying the new gym,” he said.

 
“But I am yet to sign with anyone at the moment. I am still considering my options before putting pen to paper.”

 
While Brunker is yet to confirm a return date or opponent, he is optimistic it will be secured in the near future.

 
“If it was up to me it would be tomorrow, but unfortunately it’s not that simple,” he continued.

 
“Ideally I would like to be back in the ring before June. The last few years I haven’t been as active as I would have liked and that has hurt my boxing, I would like to get back to fighting 3-4 times a year and get back to my best.”

 
“I want fans to know that I’m not done and out just yet,” he concluded. “Due to inactivity I fought my last few fights with an injured shoulder as I felt I needed to take the fight before I developed some serious ring rust,”

 
After enduring the leanest spell of his career, Brunker is looking forward to an injury-free year of activity.

 
“I have taken time now to get my shoulder right and I am ready to give it a good test in a fight very soon,”

 
“I appreciate all the people who take the time to watch my fights and show me ongoing support.”

 
 
Photo: Matchroom Boxing