STANTHORPE'S Dom Carnell fought the round of his life when he came up against an Australian kick-boxing champion in Fred Brophy's boxing tent.

Carnell jumped at the chance to fight in the iconic tent when it came to the Warwick show.

One of Carnell's coaches Terry Thompson said the local boxer had his work cut out for him.

"Dom was told to be near the ladder at the front of the tent at six o'clock, and to have his hand in the air when fighters were called for," Thompson said.

"Dom was given the choice of fighting any one of three of Brophy's fighters.

"To his credit, Dom said he would fight the best man out of the three."

This turned out to be the Australian middleweight professional kick-boxing champion known only as The Skull.

Undeterred, Carnell came out swinging in the first round, scoring the first point with a lightning-fast jab.

The pace lifted and both fighters boxed with great skill, making for an even first round.

Thompson said Carnell thrilled the crowd when he stepped back into the ring.

"This round was by far the best round that Dom Carnell has ever boxed," he said.

The third and final round ended in a punch-for-punch showdown, revealing the heart of both fighters.

To reward Dom's efforts, Brophy invited him to travel to the Birdsville races to box in the tent as an amateur fighter.