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Perozzi returns home to hero's welcome

Bermuda's Teresa Perozzi has won the vacant WBA middleweight crown. File picture.

Bermudian southpaw Teresa Perozzi returned home to a hero's welcome earlier today.Among those on hand at LF Wade International Airport to greet the newly crowned World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight world champion were Director of Youth and Sports Norbert Simons and Health Minister Zane DeSilva.Mother of one Perozzi claimed the WBA middleweight belt via a split decision win against orthodox fighter Lorissa Rivas (USA) at the Woodbrook Youth Academy in Trinidad and Tobago on the eve of her 38th birthday.WBA Judges Carlos Alberto Sucre (USA) and Rina Urbaze Availa (Venezuela) both had Perozzi winning 97-94 and 96-95 while Andrew Thorne (Guyana) had Rivas ahead 96-94 following last Friday's world title fight.Perozzi, who improved her overall pro record to 8-4-1 with the win, said she was relieved more than anything else to come away with the intended result.“It was more of a relief to be honest because there was so much adversity in the lead up to the fight,” she told The Royal Gazette: “We kept getting reports that the fight was cancelled and couldn't reach the promoter.“I thought the fight was off, couldn't get sparring in the last two weeks and then got a back injury (muscle spasms).”Perozzi owed her most recent triumph in the ring to her ability to remain humble and calm in the ring against a rival eight-years her junior.“She trains in Las Vegas with Roger and Jeff Mayweather so I know she's getting good training,” she said. “But I knew her style of fighting was good for me if I could be myself and track the fight.”Perozzi also fed off the solid support she received from the crowd.“I have a lot of fans in Trinidad from the last time I was there six-years ago, so I felt really confident,” she said. “I don't have a ring name, but they call me Teresa ‘The Ring Bull' Perozzi, and I am glad I lived up to the name.”