ARMIDALE’S rich boxing history has added another notch to its belt after Alina Lazareva took home a national title last month.
The 21-year-old fought above her weight division and against an older woman to claim honours for the 71kg welterweight title on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
A previous Northern NSW title holder, it was Lazareva’s first national victory.
She won the three-round bout by unanimous points division.
“It was a pretty hard fight,” her trainer Aaron Godwin said.
“The other woman had a bit of blood coming out by the end of it.”
Lazareva said she had only been boxing for two years after taking it up to get fit.
Whether she gets to defend her title remains to be seen.
“I’m joining the Army next year, so I don’t know if I will or not,” she said.
“I’d still like to do some boxing, though.”
Lazareva thanked Godwin for training her at Matar Boxing Gym, which is located at the back of plumber Linday Snell’s premises on Mann Street.
She also appreciated Mark Lowe’s help in supplying gym equipment.
