A man who spends his days servicing the hooves of horses around Samford and Dayboro says he is no shoe-in to defend his Australian welterweight boxing title in Sydney next month.

James Giltrow, who earns his keep as a master farrier, said he will need to be at his best to retain the title belt he claimed earlier this year when he fights Victor Chernous on 12 August.

Giltrow said he would adopt the same mindset for his title defence that he used when he beat Jason Kanofski to claim the national welterweight title in Brisbane in May.

“I approach everything basically with the same attitude, to go at it at 100 per cent and leave nothing in the gym,” the 24-year-old said.

“On the night I just give it everything I’ve got. That’s my style of boxing and that’s why people enjoy watching it because it’s all out aggression, and I plan to stick to that plan.”

Giltrow, who trains six days a week at Fortitude Gym with Steve Dellar and Luke Melbon, said Chernous was a more tactical boxer.

“He will be a very tough opponent because his boxing ability is very good,” Giltrow said. “I’ve watched him live a couple of times and I’m ready for a tough fight.

“I come forward a lot and I’m a very aggressive boxer and I think with my strength I’ll be able to overcome him. I get on the front foot and keep coming forward.

“I’m always as fit as I can be and I’m very confident that I can win.”

Giltrow, who trialled to make the 2008 Australian Olympic Games team, has no regrets giving up a chance to represent his country by turning professional.

“My last two fights I’ve won a Queensland title and an Australian title, so I’m on a good roll at the moment,” he said.

Heading into his title defence, Giltrow, who hails from Goondiwindi but now lives at Enoggera, boasts a professional fighting record of 11 wins from 12 bouts, including seven knockouts.

A former member of the Ukraine national team while an amateur boxer, Chernous has had eight professional fights for seven wins.