Cook Islands boxer Teremoana Jr Teremoana is through to the next round of an international amateur tournament in Bulgaria after a judge’s decision in his favour against Georgia’s Begadze Nikoloz.

The 25-year-old Pukapuka heavyweight, who is representing Australia, won 29-26 in round three of his first preliminary match during the 74th International Boxing Tournament Strandja on Monday night.

“Glad I was able to learn from my previous fights and get the decision,” Teremoana told his supporters on social media.

“Enjoyed myself out there and even more happy to get the win ... We coming for gold.”

Teremoana faced Brazil on Wednesday night for his second preliminary match.

The Strandja runs until Sunday and is the second amateur competition Teremoana has represented Australia in this month. He also took part in the 67th Bocskai Istvan Memorial International Boxing Tournament in Hungary, besting Lithuania in his first fight but losing to Ukraine in his second.

“Enjoyed my time in Hungary and learnt so much from the environment I was in,” Teremoana said.

“Was awesome to share the ring with some of the best! Didn’t get the result we wanted, but learnt a lot along the way.”

Until his loss to Ukraine, Teremoana was undefeated and on a four-time technical knock-out streak since turning professional last year.

Between the two tournaments, Teremoana honed his skills at a week-long international training camp.

Whether Teremoana will be selected to represent Australia at the 2023 Boxing World Championships will depend on his performances during his European tour, which he began on February 3 and ends on February 28.

Teremoana has previously said that, while he feels privileged to represent Australia, he hopes to one day wear Cook Islands colours and take home a medal from the Olympics or Commonwealth Games for the island nation.

Teremoana quit his job last year to pursue boxing, training six days a week and two times a day – a schedule which ramps up in the lead-up to a competition.

He still works one or two days a week to help sponsor his career in the sport.

“Thank you to everyone who has given me donations, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my experience here [in Europe] if it wasn’t for you all,” Teremoana said.

“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to message me, really appreciate you all. The support means everything.”