Perozzi ready to defend title on home shores
Bermuda boxer Teresa Perozzi last night confirmed her next fight will be on home shore in March.The new WBA middleweight champion was speaking at a cocktail reception in her honour at Camden House, attended by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Paula Cox, Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney as well as the local boxing fraternity.The 38-year-old southpaw claimed the coveted belt via a split decision after going the distance with Lorissa Rivas at the Woodbrook Youth Academy in Trinidad last month to improve her overall pro record to 8-4-1.While the finer details are yet to be ironed out, the world champion is adamant she will be ready for the fight, regardless of the opponent.“It’s wonderful to know I will be fighting at home, it is a dream come true and I am excited about the opportunity,” said Perozzi. “There are still things that have to be confirmed, including who I am fighting as well as if it is for my belt, but regardless of all the logistics I am happy and will be ready to go in March.“There is a lot more pressure now that I am the champion, but I know the guys at Rego’s Gym will have me ready and help a lot more, I know that the potential fighter has a good record with knockouts so it will be a good fight.”It was second time lucky for Perozzi who had fought for the WBC Middleweight title in Germany, losing to Natascha Ragosina in her homeland in a fight for six belts in 2008.By winning that bout, Perozzi also won the right to be the number one contender to challenge WBC champion Tori Nelson.Nelson may be on the cards at some point in the future, if both retain their belts in their next fights, yet Perozzi isn’t overly concerned about who her next fight is against.The fight also marked a key note in her career, being the first one in quite some time that wasn’t marred by controversy of some sort.She has had previous run ins with decisions that have cost her a win, while in her previous fight she suffered a setback before the fight had even started, breaking a rib less than a week before her bout with Christina Hammer.The champion has now set her sights on preparing herself for her first title defence in Bermuda.“I’m not concerned, if I can do the job with no support then I’ll be fine.“I need to be healthy, that’s the main concern for me, the last two fights I haven’t been in the best condition, my previous fight took place six days after I broke a rib.“As you get older your body changes and I am taking care of myself a lot more now.“This is the most satisfying moment of my boxing career, this was the first time in a long time that I have been involved in a fight that wasn’t controversial in terms of the decision or what have you, it is also drama.“It gives boxing a bad name and I am pleased that this fight went off without a hitch.”