FOR one young Nambucca Heads man it's the continuation of an emerging journey - for the other, it's a long awaited initiation into a place where there's nowhere to hide.
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Mitchell 'the White Lion' Whitelaw and Mitchel 'Dynamite Kid' Stapleton are building toward respective boxing showdowns.
At 23 years of age, Mitchell the Elder will cross the country to square off against Jordan Samardali in Perth at Thunderdome 31 on July 26.
The combatants are well matched. Mitchell is making inroads in the professional ranks - even in these earliest of days - marching to a five win-two loss and one draw record.
His last bout was for the Australian light heavyweight title, where the experience of his opponent, Reagan 'The President' Dessaix, was telling on the way to a seventh round technical knockout.
This time, he will be up against a fellow newcomer, as Samardali has had just the three fights for as many wins.
"We don't know much about him (Samardali) other than that he's a southpaw," Mitchell's trainer Ian 'Sparra' Stapleton told the Guardian.
Samardali fought as an amateur for Australia at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and was knocked out in the first round.
Mitchell will be looking to make a statement in the 79kg bout set down for six three-minute rounds. He has been sparring with Reagan at Brisbane in preparation - and is eyeing another shot at the national title in October this year.
The other Mitchel - Stapleton - looks set to finally debut as a professional after four previous engagements over a two-year period fell through when the other corner pulled the pin.
"It's been frustrating of course and I just can't wait to get going," Mitchel, a five-time Australian amateur champion, told the Guardian.
No sooner did the 20-year-old sign with Perth-based manager Tony Tolj - who also guides Danny Green - than a match was announced.
Mitchel will debut on September 14 at BoxingMania 7 at Tweed Heads.
There, he'll be up against fellow greenhorn Chris Hunt from Beenleigh who has had just the one fight, for a loss.
"I'm two weeks into a 10-week prep and I will be focussed on that," said Mitchel, as he looks to be whip fit for the 66.7kg welterweight stoush.
Mitchel has also been invited to spar with Reagan up north - and together the bruise brothers from Nambucca Heads have been spurring and sparring one another on ahead of the fights.
Watch them sparring here:
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