LORRINDA Webb has been given the opportunity of a lifetime, with the Bendigo boxer set to challenge for a world title in Sydney later this month.
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Webb will do battle with former national amateur champion Bianca 'Bam Bam' Elmir for the vacant World Boxing Foundation female featherweight title on March 27.
The world title shot comes just four fights into the tenacious southpaw's professional career. Her record stands at 2-1.
She will be facing a formidable foe in Elmir, who amassed more than 30 fights during her impressive international amateur career and is 5-1 in the professional ranks.
Elmir, 37, was originally scheduled to challenge New Zealand's Baby Nansen, whose team later withdrew from the fight.
Following a search around for a suitable opponent, Webb was only too happy to step up and fill the breach and now has her sights set on snaring a coveted world title.
Webb, who turned 30 today (Wednesday), is still pinching herself after landing such a 'massive' opportunity."
"I didn't think this would happen at all - it's a great opportunity," she said.
"It's one that mightn't come around again, so the timing has been perfect. No matter what I am going to give it my all."
Webb, who is coached by Scott Tuddenham at Flux Boxing and Yoga in Eaglehawk, described her split decision loss to Rianne Ware on the undercard of last August's Jeff Horn-Michael Zerafa fight at Bendigo Stadium, as a bit of a turning point in her career.
She rebounded strongly to defeat 'Mustang' Sally Bunt in Melbourne in November via a unanimous points decision.
"That loss made me stronger - I really took a lot out of it," Webb said.
"You always take something out of losing.
"I jumped back in the ring in November and was just a different fighter - a bit more heart, a bit more go.
"I think you just need to get back in there before too much time expires. Too long out of the ring is just that, too long."
A six-week fight camp for Webb has included two-a-day workouts, six days a week, and a pair of trips to Melbourne each week for sparring with the likes of former two-time world champion Susie Ramadan.
Webb travelled to Brisbane on Wednesday, where she was due to spar with two-time world title challenger Shannon O'Connell.
The session against one of Australia's all-time best female boxers should prove invaluable for the Bendigo boxer and offer a great insight into her opponent.
It was O'Connell, who inflicted Elmir's first and only professional loss, in an entertaining super bantamweight bout as part of the Horn-Zerafa showcase in Bendigo.
It's one that mightn't come around again, so the timing has been perfect. No matter what I am going to give it my all.
- Lorrinda Webb
While she will concede plenty of experience to Elmir, Webb is embracing her 'underdog' status.
"I would never take a fight I didn't think I could win, but it's going to be a tough fight," she said.
"She's a great fighter, quite confident and has a lot more experience, but opportunities like this don't come around very often.
"So I'm definitely going to grasp it and give it my all and hopefully come away with a win."
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