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If islanders wants to see its world champion boxer Teresa Perozzi back in the ring again then they better start to show it.

The champ was treated to a standing ovation on Saturday night after sharing a close encounter with American Roselin Morales at Clearwater Beach.

But she feels that despite bringing a championship belt to Bermuda and beating an opponent with a top-class, unbeaten professional record, she is not getting the backing or support she deserves.

She was particularly critical of a Royal Gazette report which she says misquoted her as saying she had been 'beaten up' and gave precedence to her American challenger's comments that the decision had been unfair - a pretty standard retort for beaten boxers in close points decisions.

But the main reason for her threat to call it quits is the lack of backing she has received since bringing the title to Bermuda.

The promised gym has still not materialized, there has been no influx of funds from the Government and only Capital G, who Perozzi credits for getting her ring ready for this fight by flying in a sparring partner, have stepped in with sponsorship.

Since claiming the title her opponents have got tougher and tougher and if she is to make another successful defence, she feels that she needs a level playing field with her overseas challengers.

While most of the top women boxers in the world train out of first rate boxing gyms in New York with a stable of sparring partners, Perozzi switches between Chucky Renaud's converted garage in Spanish Point and the police gym - essentially a sports hall with a few pieces of boxing equipment.

She prepared for her latest title defence without even having regular access to a heavy bag.

Asked what it would take to get her back in the ring, she said: "A proper boxing gym and a lot of money."

Perozzi, who suffered a bruised eye as a result of an illegal headbutt from her opponent in round eight of the fight on Saturday, said she felt comfortable throughout the fight. But she said a re-match or a fight with Monica Nunez, one of only two boxers to beat Perozzi during her pro career, was out of the question unless Bermuda's boxing infrastructure improved.

"I'm done with boxing. The rewards do not outweigh the sacrifices right now. It's affecting my family, it's affecting me.

"Even though I won, and I feel I did win, I don't feel elated. I'm just glad it's over.

"I feel I've accomplished something but when I ask what am I doing it for? I can't come up with anything."

She said she would continue training but had no plans to fight again at the moment.

She said she didn't want to step back and fight lesser boxers and taking on tougher fighters or even offering a re-match to Morales would take more preparation than she could currently get in Bermuda.

"I gave 150 per cent for this fight and it is only going to get harder," she said.

She said she didn't want to go overseas to fight because her business and her family were in Bermuda, but there was no way she could prepare properly for more title defences without more sponsorship or Government support.

"I don't know if its because I'm a woman, I don't know if its boxing or what.

"Capital G took a risk when they sponsored me and I think it has paid off for them."

Perozzi said she did not give much credence to Morales' claim that she had benefited from 'home town' judging, particularly when the same judges had scored two previous fights against her.

In fact the only points decision she had won on home turf prior to Saturday night was the eight-round pounding of Martha Deitchman, which she dominated from start to finish, earlier this year.

"It was a close fight (with Morales). It was not a walkover for me. They gave three-rounds even, which shows it was close. But she didn't do enough to beat me.

"I was never in trouble throughout the fight. I'm the champion - you don't just come and take someone's belt.

"She gave a good fight but she didn't really hurt me."

She added that the bruise on her face had been caused by a head-but and not a legitimate punch.

"I beat Martha Deitchman and people say I picked an opponent that was too easy, I beat Roselin Morales who was unbeaten and they say I didn't deserve it.

"Why can't people just be happy that we have a world champion?"[[In-content Ad]]

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