But up-and-coming teammates Darm Phakphai and Angus Ponman along with Felipe Blemith and Scott Chessells could soon push her for top billing.

Coach Dean Groth believes Phakphai has great potential.

“At this stage, we’ve got a plan and if we can build his power up, he’ll be the best in Australia. He’s pretty special.”

Phakphai and Messina had a win each in the City vs Country tournament in Doyalson on December 3.

In an exhibition bout, Phakphai came up against home-town favourite Hamish Laing in an enthralling contest.

The Port Macquarie Boxing Club coach believes the sky is the limit for his young charge.

“Darm moves well, is a great counterpuncher and can fight off the front foot too,” Groth said.

“And he listens. You can tell him to do something from the corner and he’ll do it straight away. It’s very rare for someone to do that.”

Groth said the national and state development coaches were in the crowd who were both impressed with the Port Macquarie boxer.

Ponman headed down to the Central Coast as part of the Country contingent, but found himself fighting another Country boy after his City counterpart pulled out.

“Gus was originally matched with a heavyweight from Sydney who pulled out so he had to fight another Country boxer Jock Matthews,” Groth said.

“He’s had 10 fights, whereas Gus stepped in the ring for the first time and he won in a really tough fight.”

In the main event, Messina fought City captain Hayley Smith across four two-minute rounds in a bout where Smith used tactics which unsettled the Port Macquarie boxer.

“She just held on; she clinched every time,” Groth said.

“Whenever Jess came in close she just held on so that was her game plan and that stifled Jess.”

Messina was victorious by a unanimous points decision.

Ponman knocked his opponent down in the first and second round before he won the contest in a point decision.

The club’s success wouldn’t be possible without the efforts of Richie Bayliss, Kevin Rayment, Mitchell Lenkic, Ray Mangan and Paul Grant on the coaching staff.

The academy will have an open day on Saturday from 10am where they will spar against each other for 10 rounds.

It promises to be another big year in 2017 as the academy starts to look towards the Commonwealth Games.