The current interim PABA middleweight champion is the product of a tough upbringing and admits that without boxing, and the guidance of long-time coach and mentor Nudge Mieli, he was probably headed down a bad path.

“It’s something that kept me on the straight and narrow through times when I could’ve easily gone another way,” Lucas said.

“I have a bit of an extremist personality so I’m all in with whatever I do so I think it’s better to put my energy into something positive.  

“It’s given me a self-belief and a work ethic that’s second to none. 

“I know for me personally, the appeal of combat is what draws you in but all the positive things that come from boxing itself, the discipline, the respect and learning the skills re-directs you and re-focuses you.

“It’s helped me see things in a bigger picture and given me the ability to deal with anything that’s thrown at me. 

“I feel I can do anything in life thanks to boxing.”

It’s something the 2014 Commonwealth Games rep is looking to share through junior programs at his Forte Boxing Academy gym at Albion Park which he runs alongside Mieli.

Having benefited from the guidance of his own boxing coaches over the years, Lucas said he’s enjoying the chance to provide the same direction for new juniors of his own.

“For me to see a few juniors developing and looking up to me shows what a positive influence you can have on people,” Lucas said.

“We’ve had a few troubled kids come in with behavioural problems and kids from not the best backgrounds and we’ve seen their schooling improve and we’ve seen them deal with their anger in better ways.

“We teach it as a skilled sport, it’s not about going out and bashing people up or anything like that.

“It gives them something to focus and redirect their energy into.

“To see that now is opening my eyes up and showing I can be a positive influence and make a difference in kids’ lives and make them believe they can do something they didn’t think they could do coming from different backgrounds and different circumstances.”

On his own fighting front Lucas said he’ll be looking to book a defence of his recently won WBA PABA title before the end of the year.

But he has other priorities in the short-term after wife Emma gave birth to their first child, daughter Evie this month.

“We’re definitely looking at a defence but I’ll have to wait and see what fatherhood throws at me first,” he said.

“I’m back in training now and we’re hopefully looking at something in either November or December.”