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Weighing in at less than 125lbs waif-like Rachel Sousa looks an unlikely prizefighter.

The Bermudian mum has even been nicknamed 'chicken wing' by her workmates because of her diminutive frame.

But would you like to be the mannequin in this picture?

Sousa got into boxing in the most unlikely manner - through a fellow mum at her child's primary school.

Not so unlikely, perhaps, when you consider that mum was world boxing champ Teresa Perozzi.

"I was running and going to the gym five or six times a week but I was getting a little bit bored of that. Teresa suggested I tried boxing as a fun way to train and I loved it. But whoa! It was hard work. I thought I was in good shape."

Since then she's been sparring with Perozzi in the run up to her ring debut at Saturday's Bermuda Police International Black Tie Boxing Event - one of the big nights on the island's sporting calendar.

A decade ago neither Perozzi nor Sousa would have been allowed into the Police Boxing Night.

It used to be an exclusive all male event were boxers fought amidst a fog of cigar smoke while their buddies swilled champagne and cheered them on from the sidelines.

But times have changed and women form 30 per cent of the card for Saturday night's bout.

Another of the girls lacing up the gloves for the first time is Jamela Daniels.

Daniels, who works at DHL, was introduced to the sport by another of Bermuda's top boxers - her friend Leo "lionheart' Richardson.

She says she's always been a tough girl and her mum and her girl friends are not worried about her stepping in the ring.

""They just want me to kick her ass," she said.

Inside - Profiles on all the fighters for Saturday night's event.[[In-content Ad]]

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