Suffolk fighter Hannah Turner won her first professional world title in Germany last weekend, putting on a sensational display to beat the champion in her backyard.
Turner, 24, squared off with Michaela Michl for the WKU K1 belt on Steko’s Fight Night in front of 4,000 fans at the Olympia Eisstadion in Munich.
The Bury St Edmunds-based stylist stepped up two weight divisions to face the imposing German champ, nicknamed 'Iron Mike', at 65kg.
Having had a year out of action due to health issues, Turner was up against it, fighting the home favourite in the lion's den, but proved that she's among the best on the planet.
Turner, a brilliant technical fighter, used her speed advantage over a naturally bigger and stronger opponent to take control of the bout from the first bell.
In rounds two and three she increased her lead with some blistering combinations, having particular success with punishing straight push kicks to the face and powerful round kicks to the legs and arms of Michl.
The champion had successes of her own, with her strong right hand finding the target on numerous occasions, especially in the latter rounds as she realised was in danger of losing her belt.
But Turner maintained her composure and rallied with eye-catching combinations to earn a unanimous points win.
It's a huge achievement for Turner, who trains under long-time coach Rich Gent at the Unit 1 Gym in Bury and makes weekly trips to The Knowsley Academy in London to work with world-class athletes and brothers Lyndon and Christian Knowles.
She now plans to fight in the UK this summer, before returning to Munich in September for a contractually-stipulated rematch.
Turner is in no doubt that she'll be better by the time the bell goes for that second fight -and intends to make an even bigger statement.
“After a year out and the unknown of the higher weight class I was a little anxious about my fitness," she admitted.
"By September I will be in even better condition and believe I can improve on my performance, maybe even force the stoppage.
"I look forward to sharing the ring with Michaela again - but the belt is staying with me!”
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