Women's boxing is on the rise in New Zealand, thanks to a surge of dominance from a relatively unknown star.
Brazilian-born Geovana Peres only entered the sport professionally two years ago, but is currently world champion in her division and proof that age is just a number.
Eight fights into her professional career, she's already the WBO light-heavyweight belt holder.
While many athletes find themselves at the top of their game in their youth, Peres is doing quite the opposite, dominating at 42 years old.
"Age is just a number," Peres told Newshub. "It's the mindset that's the most important thing."
And that very mindset makes coach Terrance Batchelor confident in Peres' bright future in the ring.
She's gone past a lot of women that have been in the sport a lot longer than her, because she's willing to sacrifice and go after it.
Peres is now preparing to put the belt on the line in Auckland, the world No.2 set to fight the WBO No.1 - Canadian Claire Hafner - in her biggest bout yet.
While her opponent may be relatively unknown, her vision for the growth of women's boxing in New Zealand couldn't be clearer.
Watch the full story above
Newshub.
