Preston chases super flyweight title

NEW Zealand’s Michelle Preston leaves for Argentina tomorrow and a shot at fighting history.

The 34-year-old Aucklander is out to add a genuine world boxing title to her two world kickboxing belts.

Preston fights Debora Dioncius in her home city of Villaguay, Entre Rios on Sunday (NZ time). The vacant IBF super flyweight title is on the line over 10 twominute rounds.

If Preston can achieve her dream she will be just the second woman to claim world titles in the two sports.

Holland’s Lucia Rijker, dubbed ‘‘The Most Dangerous Woman in the World’’ is the only fighter to have that honour. Now 44, Rijker stepped out of the boxing ring in 2004 with the IBO light welterweight crown and an undefeated record over 17 fights including 14 knockouts. Her boxing prowess came on top of five kickboxing world titles collected over an unbeaten run of 37 fights.

Preston turned to noted Auckland boxing trainer Chris Martin five years ago, hoping to improve her hand work.

‘‘She got hooked on boxing. She’s a tough woman whose fighting has just got better with age,’’ Martin said.

Preston has collected the WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title as well as the New Zealand and Oceania belts in her time in boxing.

She has had a chequered record though with seven wins, six losses and a draw. This includes a controversial trilogy of losses to Australian Suzie ‘‘Q’’ Ramadan across the Tasman with all three fights going the distance.

The 24-year-old Dioncius is unbeaten over 10 fights in an 18-month professional career that comes after a stellar amateur career.

Acclimatising will be a challenge for Preston but Martin believes ‘‘if she stays with the plan, she has every chance of winning’’.

Martin said Preston’s durability was her strength. She had never been knocked out.

‘‘Her work rate is outstanding. The longer the fight goes, the better she will be.’’