With first-round knockout wins in all seven of his bouts, the up-and-coming kickboxer figures his over-before-you-know-it success streak may well come to an end this weekend.

And that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

"As I go on I'll be facing stiffer and stiffer competition, so eventually I'm going to have to find out if I can go the distance. My stamina really hasn't been tested yet," said the 24-year-old Milton fighter, who left for South Africa Monday to be part of the Intercontinental Championships with Team Canada. "I'll be happy with any victory I can get over there, because they (South Africans) are usually quite strong on the world stage."

Set to compete tomorrow and next Saturday, Scarfe stood out at a June tryout in Burlington to get the nod as Canada's cruiserweight representative.

While taking up kickboxing just three years ago, the six-foot-two, 185-pounder has looked like anything but a novice.

With an awful lot of power behind both his kicks and punches, Scarfe has turned the lights out on opponents before they've even known what hit them.

But the Team Canada member realizes that continued success will likely take more than just explosive offence.

"The biggest improvement I've made in the past few months is my movement in the ring," said Scarfe, who trains at Orangeville's Fitness Kickboxing of Canada Club. "I think I'm able to get out of the way of strikes more now. Before I'd just go in there and trade blows, and that's not the smartest way to fight."

FIRST FIGHT IN A YEAR

With a few minor injuries and opponents not making the weight, the local kickboxer hasn't had an actual fight since late last summer, when he needed less than a minute to prevail in his international debut in Trinidad.

It proved to be Canada's only knockout in its 11 amateur bouts.

One would think such a lengthy stretch between bouts might leave him a little rusty for the South African showcase.

However, Scarfe doesn't see that as a major concern.

"I spar two or three times a week and we really go all out in there. We're hitting just as hard as we would in a fight," he said, adding, "I've been hurt a few times, but that's all right because you've got to be prepared for your opponent to bring it. I think I'm acclimatized for that."

Beyond this month's trip, Scarfe simply hopes to get in as many fights as possible, and earn another shot at the Canadian title, which he had to forgo competing for this spring due to a broken nose.

"I just want to keep improving and get as much experience as possible."