SHE'S up against a world champion with seven belts who is younger, taller and fighting on home turf ¿ but Bermudian boxer Teresa Perozzi believes she has what it takes to defeat the unbeaten Natasha Ragosina in Germany next Friday.

She has been hard at work in New Jersey this week working in a much larger ring ¿ a ring comparable with the arena Ragosina will be defending her titles.

And getting used to that space is vital say Perozzi who is up against a nimble-footed opponent who she compares in style to Muhammed Ali.

The fight will take place in a ring almost double the size of what Perozzi is used to in Bermuda.

It's meant an adjustment in tactics during grueling four or five hours in the gym with trainer Charlie Romano who spent 11 days with her in Bermuda before the pair decamped to Jersey.

She told the Mid-Ocean News: "It's great out here, the ring is perfect for what I need as I know she will move around ¿ she uses the ropes. My style is perfect for her." Romano has continually stopped Perozzi in sparring sessions to hammer home tactical points as Perozzi aims to capitalise on her raw punching ability and get close enough to do damage.

"Why in nine fights have I only stopped one boxer when I have this much power? You fall into bad habits but it's minor things."

Her trainers are making sure she has a game plan to go the full distance of ten rounds.

Perozzi, who has bitter memories of home judges when she cracked Swede Asa Sandell's check bone but was still only awarded a draw, believes she must knock out her opponent to stand a chance of winning.

But she added: "It's not like I have to knock her out in the first round.

"She has never been hit in the face in all her bouts. You can see it in the tapes ¿ she protects herself, she is very effective in keeping her distance."

Ragosina, a Russian, is undefeated in 16 fights, has nine knockouts to her name and will be defending her seven belts in her adopted home of Magdeburg in Germany.

Luckily Perozzi says she likes bouts against tall opponents and she knows Ragosina, who at 31 is three years younger, will have done her homework by watching tapes of the plucky Bermudian challenger.

A lot is riding on it for Perozzi who believes a win will transform her career which is largely funded out of her own pocket although this bout has had some help from local businesses and finally Government.

Her mum is joining her from LA for the fight next Friday while one or two friends are coming from Bermuda and she hopes fight fans here will be able to watch it on the Internet.

Asked how she could defeat her younger, taller opponent Perozzi said: "I don't know, I just feel it is my time to do it. It's one of those things. The last one gave me confidence." After the Sandell fight even local Swedish journalists said the decision should have been awarded to Perozzi.

Reviewing the tape she says there were chances to knock her opponent down.

"Now I see how close I was."

On Friday she hopes to go one step better.