By ADEM SARICAOGLU
TWO-TIME world champion Diana Prazak does not get to spend a whole lot of time back home.
Born and raised in Hoppers Crossing, the 34-year-old boxer made the tough choice to leave everything behind and move to Los Angles in 2012, and has since proven herself as the best superfeather-weight in the world.
Having left behind a fiancé, family and business to make it in the big time, and with a lack of sponsorship making it difficult for her to come home on a regular basis, Prazak admits life on the road has been quite tough over the past two years.
“It’s very tough over there,” she said.
“It’s a very lonely place to live, and it’s a very lonely sport as well, but it’s all part of my journey in the sport to be the best I can be and the sacrifices that I have to make to get there.
“The good side is in my sport I’m accomplishing my goals and that makes me so happy, to be able to sacrifice so much and achieve what all the sacrifice was for.
“So that’s incredible – making my family proud and my country proud.”
Prazak was home for Christmas for some much-needed family time when up-and-coming Queenslander Shannon O’Connell called out and challenged the world champ for her WBC championship belt.
Prazak has since set up shop in Footscray alongside former undefeated champion and trainer Lucia Rijker in preparation for the upcoming bout.
The two will meet in the ring this Saturday at the Melbourne Pavilion, and it will be Prazak’s first fight on home soil since relocating to LA.
“Things are going really well,” Prazak said of her preparation.
“We’re in the final stages of preparation, which are going as they should, and I’m really excited to be at home and to get the opportunity to fight at home.
“I haven’t fought here for two-and-a-half years, and I’ve been fighting everywhere else in the world and it’s a great opportunity to be able to come home and have the hometown support and everyone that’s helped support me come and watch.”
Prazak admits she knows little about O’Connell, but is sure of one thing.
“I’m expecting a really tough fight,” she said.
“I’m expecting her to bring everything she’s got to me in the ring to try to take my belt off me.
“I’m preparing for somebody who wants what I have, and I had to work really hard to get everything I have.”
