'Unfinished business'

WEDNESDAY, JAN 30: It was a gripping but ultimately unfulfilling slug-fest.

Ten rounds of toe-to-toe combat produced a result that left both boxers shaking their heads: a majority draw.

Bermuda’s Teresa Perozzi kept her WBA middleweight belt but the WBC equivalent remained vacant. So much for the All or Nothing billing.

But on Saturday night at Berkeley Institute, almost four months on from their original match-up, Perozzi and still undefeated American Tori Nelson will headline Fight Night 15: The Rematch. And after the previous controversy — both fighters were adamant they did enough for victory — the local favourite is determined to end the argument once and for all.

“It feels like unfinished business,” the 39-year-old Perozzi told the Bermuda Sun.

“I was ready to go the next night. It [the result] just didn’t feel right so I’m just grateful she took the rematch, and I expect her to come harder and more aggressive.”

Despite the time that’s passed, Perozzi is clearly still irked by the judges’ decision — two called it 95-95, one 98-93 in the Bermudian’s favour — although her focus is now putting the result beyond doubt this time, hinting she may let more of the brawler in her come out in the rematch.

The mother of one said: “That’s boxing. I’ve watched the tapes. I have my opinion, and other people agreed, but you have to respect the judges. I know what I have to do this time around.”

She added: “She didn’t expect me to come out boxing so I’m going to have to switch it up a little.”

The frustration of October’s draw was only heightened by the fact that, for all the punches landed on both sides, the WBC belt remained unclaimed.

A second chance to unite that with the WBA belt has Perozzi champing at the bit.

She said: “It is extra motivation, especially as I was so close and I thought I had it. The win is more important than the belts but to hold the WBA and the WBC... I’d be honoured to hold them both.”

Perozzi has once again teamed up with legendary trainer and former fighter Troy Darrell and says training has gone perfectly.

She said: “The preparation is going great. I’m confident I’m going to be ready and make the weight.

“The only thing I’m doing differently really is to train harder if that’s even possible. I’m training with Troy now and he’s been up in the gym a lot so I feel good, you know, me and Tori have fought each other so we kind of know what to expect. I’m expecting her to change up her tactics a little, too, but I don’t think in the time since the last fight you can change your style.”

The night will also feature a number of amateur boxing bouts. Doors open at 7pm, with the first fight getting under way at 8pm.

Tickets are available at International Sports Shop and PTIX.bm. General tickets are prices at $65, while VIP (open bar) are $130.