Alex Winwood and his team don’t intend to move backward in 2025.

The former title challenger will remain at the ten- and twelve-round level, with no concerns that he was moved too quickly in the infancy of his career. Winwood’s next bout will be a scheduled ten-round affair against the Philippines’ Joey Francisco.

A regional strawweight title will be at stake in their March 14 headliner from Metro City in Northbridge, Western Australia.

“We very much plan to capture a world title in 2025,” Tony Tolj, Winwood’s manager, told The Ring. “Can’t get there by fighting six- and eight-rounders. Alex is still one of the best strawweights in the world and we will prove it this year.”

Winwood (4-1, 2KOs)—who lives an hour away in Mandurah—will play the venue for the fifth time in six pro bouts.

The lone career appearance to not take place at the intimate locale was in Winwood’s most recent bout. His failed challenge of then WBA strawweight titlist Thammanoon Niyomtrong took place on Sept. 7 at HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont, roughly 15 minutes from Metro City.

Niyomtrong was unbeaten, The Ring No. 1 strawweight and the sport’s longest reigning active titleholder at the time of their clash. His reign dated back to June 2016 but hadn’t fought since July 2022.

Amazingly, the entirety of Winwood’s career to that point took place within that inactive period for Niyomtrong.

Winwood, 27, came up just short in his first twelve-round affair. He now returns to the ten-round level, at which he’s fought since his second pro bout.

Francisco (10-3, 2 KOs) hits the road for the second straight time after a career entirely spent in the Philippines. The 27-year-old strawweight from General Santos City was stopped in the seventh round by The Ring No. 8 contender DianXing Zhu (14-1, 12 KOs) in their Aug. 3 regional title fight in Quangnam, Vietnam.