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SPORTS> World Events
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Dinner comes first for Japan's 'Rocky' mum
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-17 00:20
Izaki's managers sent the WBC a video demonstrating she had a solid chin and have since been scrambling to get the bout sanctioned. "I'm not scared of Torres," said a defiant Izaki, shaking her frizzy hair. "The promoters failed to get the venue changed to Texas so now we're hoping for June or July in Mexico. "It's annoying me but I won't give up on a world title. I want Torres's belt." Sat and sulked The Yokohama-based Izaki, a former aerobics instructor, had been horrified at having to punch someone when she laced up her first pair of gloves 11 years ago, refusing to climb into the ring to spar. "I just sat in the corner of the room and sulked for 30 minutes," she said with a giggle. "I don't like hitting people and I couldn't do it. "But this guy was waiting patiently in the ring for me so I tried it. I spar with men -- the first time I hit a woman I left the ring in tears." Izaki, who has won over half of her 16 fights, added: "I don't mind being hit so much, but I still don't like hitting people. That wasn't the point of boxing for me." Taping her hands beneath black-and-white photographs of Muhammad Ali at the height of his powers, Izaki is aware of the dangers involved, and has the scars to prove it. "I've broken my nose in three places and broken a bone under my eye socket once," she smiled. "All in sparring against men. It doesn't hurt all that much. Injuries are part of boxing. "Boxing is the ultimate test. It's about pure body strength. Your have no weapons or tools. When you get into the ring it's just you. You have to have supreme faith in yourself." If Izaki beats the red tape and Torres, she will surpass Foreman, who was 45 when he regained the world heavyweight crown in 1994. Izaki, who lists Puerto Rican world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto as her favourite boxer, has no plans to quit before possibly out-doing Foreman. "I don't think about my age," she insisted. "Once the gong rings all I can hear is my trainer -- and my kids yelling 'Go on, mum!' As long as my body works I'll carry on." |
