Gunnedah's Albert Nolan returns to action on September 13 - Image: W.L. Fight Photography/Facebook, design: Theo Dimou
By his own admission, Albert Nolan (6-0-1, 1 KO) isn’t “much of a talker.”
Softly spoken, his words are few, but full of honesty and humility. Intertwined among them is a sprinkle of country charm, stemming from his Gunnedah roots.
It has been these characteristics that have come to navigate and define the career to date of the man known as ‘The Boss.’
From town to town, promotion to promotion, Nolan has gone about his business on his own terms. In each contest, he has given his all in front of close friends and family, his most ardent supporters.
“We’re just out here having a go and at the end of the day, we go home to our families,” Nolan told The Inner Sanctum.
“You know that even if things aren’t going to work out, you’ve still got your friends and family after it.
“They’re always supporting too. It helps a lot, I think.”
Complementing these features, Nolan’s attitude towards each bout has been blue collar in outlook.
Whether it be through training hard after a long day on the job, or travelling hundreds of kilometers to compete, any suggestion of not working hard enough is an unfounded one.
As a result, this combination of factors has seen a quiet rise to a place among Australia’s best Featherweights.
In his most recent bout, Nolan made the trek to Melbourne to meet the more fancied Pom Thanawut Phetkum (5-2, 1 KO). After eight grueling rounds, the 26 year old made his way back to the country with both the victory and the WBC Australasian title to his name.
Flying under the radar then, has been no hardship to bare.
“I was the ‘B side’ down there and we just went out there and did our thing,” Nolan recalled.
“I don’t let that get to me. If they want to make them the favourite. I don’t mind being the underdog.
‘I know I’ve done the work, so we just go out and do what we do.”
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Now gearing up to defend his title for the first time, the hope will be that lightning strikes twice.
Nolan is set to face highly touted prospect Vegas Larfield (9-0, 7 KOs) of Brisbane on No Limit Boxing’s September 13 card.
The New South Welshman will not only enter the meeting a consensus underdog, he will also be fighting on national television for the first time.
True to form though, there has been no sign of being overawed by the newfound exposure.
“I just don’t think about it,” he said.
“Before the fight I’ll be nervous, but once I get out there I’ll be right.
“I don’t think about it, I don’t worry about it at all. That’s how I just stay calm.”
Instead, attention is solely on besting Larfield over eight rounds and retaining his title. To do that, Nolan knows he will need to be at his very best.
Still, he is not wavering from the course that has gotten him this far. A diligent and driven approach backed by a tight knit support network has bred in-ring confidence.
In his eyes, Nolan is more than equipped with the tools needed to pass the test.
“I think it’ll be a tough fight, but I think I’ll win,” he concluded.
“I have to believe that anyway. I’ll be going in and I’ll be planning to come home with that win, no matter how it goes.
“Points, knockout, doesn’t matter. I’ll be going there to work.”
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