AFTER just two amateur bouts, Kingscliff heavyweight “Fort” Nocks Mohenoa will make his professional debut on the August 13 undercard of the Michael Katsidis bout at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The 6ft 2in (188cm) Mohenoa faces a test against former Australian Global amateur boxing champion Brett Peters, from Toowoomba, who is also having his first professional fight.

They meet over four three-minute rounds – double the distance Mohenoa has travelled in a fight.

His two amateur contests – both victories over Grafton teenager Corbin Robertson, were fought over three two-minute rounds.

Mohenoa, 32, has been training hard at the Tweed Stingrays Gym under the guidance of Tony Nobbs and is looking forward to his first professional appearance.

“It is just a privilege to fight on the same card as legendary Australian fighter Michael Katsidis. It is not something that you get every day,” he said on Saturday after a sparring session with Anthony “Chook” Fowler.

“I'm really looking forward to it. It will be a big night and it's a good opportunity.”

With his opponent having an advantage in experience, Mohenoa's team has sought tough sparring partners and was happy with his first workout with the much bigger Fowler (professional record 2-2, 1 KO and ranked No.18 in Australia), who has a fight lined up in China.

Fowler defeated Leroy Leapai (brother of world-rated heavyweight Alex) on the same Tweed-Coolangatta Golf Club card that Mohenoa had his last bout in October.

The Ipswich big man, a former Australian Schoolboy and Gold Coast Seagulls rugby league star, was then out-scored by Stingrays-trained Scott Sattler in December.

“Sparring Chook was awesome. He has heavy hands and he's a big guy (191cm and 112kg),” Mohenoa said.

“I've been sparring a few lighter guys in our gym, so my speed is good but I needed someone who is bigger and will try to back me up and tire me out.”

With four weeks to go, Mohenoa's training has picked up.

He is training each week night and is running every morning before starting work on the Sextons Hill upgrade.

Mohenoa has also been running in the gym of a morning so his legs don't get too heavy on the road.

Nobbs believes Mohenoa has a number of good qualities.

“He's pushing hard. His strengths are his toughness, plus his speed and timing,” he said.

“The more he spars, the sharper he will be. It was great to get Chook down for some rounds.

“Chook plans to come down each week to spar and Scott Sattler will also get into the ring with Nocksy.

“We've got Chook for size and strength, Satts for work rate.

I've also got former Australian super middleweight champion Israel Kani fighting on the August 13 bill.

Turning professional was the next step for Mohenoa, who was introduced to boxing by an uncle.

“It's something that was around growing up and now I've got the chance to do it, I really want to give it my best shot,” he said.

Mohenoa's future is in the lighter cruiserweight division.

This bout against Peters is a heavyweight (95kg) fight but after that we'll try to get Nocksy down to 90.7kg, so he can campaign at cruiserweight.