“I was very sloppy, turned it into a bit of a brawl and the first round I got caught,” Henry said.

“I got an eight count, I was a bit wobbly and then had to come back from that in the second and third round.”

Henry is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.

The State titles were held across two days, with the 19-year-old accounting for Dean Stuart in his first bout.

“The first one I boxed a lot better,” he said. 

“I moved well, he was a bigger opponent but it was still close.”

Both of Henry’s fights went to a points decision.

Henry’s coach Pete Lewis said he was impressed with how he handled himself in the fights and kept reminding him of a special incentive to win.

“I just kept telling him you’ve got to win for your mum on her birthday,” Pete said.

Pete noted that Henry’s opponents were considerably older and more experienced.

It’s the first elite open title Henry has won since taking up boxing five years ago. 

He said all he had to do was apply to enter the tournament but he wouldn’t have if he wasn’t up to scratch.

“I tried last year but I didn’t make it so it was good to make it this year.

“If you’re not good enough, it’s going to hurt,” he smiled.

Henry has got his eyes set on a shot at national selection in December this year. 

He’s looking to pursue boxing as a career.

“I’m looking at going professional in the next three years,” Henry said.

“I love the training, I love trying to work out how to get better and even when I’m not as good as the other person, I try and figure out how to get better than him.”

Henry is based out of the Taree PCYC and helps train the next generation of boxers.

“I love it,” he said.

He encouraged any young athlete to pursue a career in boxing but stressed it is not for the “light hearted”. 

“Determination is one of the biggest things, always rocking up to training and a little bit of talent,” Henry said. 

He added that overthinking in a fight can be the downfall of a competitor.

“I try not to think about it because nerves kick in,” Henry said.

“It’s a good feeling when you just keep coming back, getting better and better and then all of a sudden you’re giving it to other people.”

Henry has 18 official amateur fights under his belt, but has competed in almost 30 if exhibition bouts are included.