Boxing: Red Dragon fighter fired up for rematch

A Rotorua Thai boxer will feature in the main event at a women's fight night in Tauranga tomorrow.

Wendy Talbot, who holds the 2011 New Zealand Thai Boxing Association Lightweight title will fight Porirua's Kelly Floyd in the Muay Thai Mayhem 8 - Queen of Mean Fight Night.

It will be the first time Talbot, who will represent Red Dragon Thai Boxing Tauranga, will meet Floyd since the pair's first match-up in 2010 - a fight Talbot won by a split decision.

Talbot said she was looking forward to the rematch as the pair now had 10 fights each under their belts.

"I've won seven fights and lost three but I plan on winning this one, so make that eight."

She said every fight was different, mentally and emotionally, which made her grateful for the support of her family.

"My mum and dad come to all my fights and my mum cries every time I step into the ring. Dad absolutely hates it, but he's always there to support and watch me."

Talbot said she had been training for months, swimming 1km three times a day, running for an hour, with five rounds of sparring and sprints to finish off.

Coach Brent Maharey said Talbot was an aggressive fighter who had impressed him early on.

"She's a natural born killer, who's calm and collected in the ring. She just loves it and enjoys fighting. She's just got that attitude to win."

He said after the fight the pair would look at aiming for a World Muay Thai Council title belt.

MMA Pacific Rotorua's Kelly Kinita will fight Tauranga's Faith Van Duin during the fight night, at the Mount Maunganui Sports Centre. Entry to the event is $25.