Perth boxer Erin McGowan woke up on Saturday morning as a world champion.
On Friday night she won her fight against Arlene Blencowe at the WA Italian Club.
She defeated the former World Champion, who hails from New South Wales, by a unanimous judges' decision.
"I knew she was naturally bigger and stronger than me and when she came in nearly five kilos overweight I was even more concerned about the strength of her punches," the new WIBA world lightweight champion said.
McGowan weighed in at 60.9kg while Arlene Blencowe took the scales up to 65.9kg.
The Italian Club crowd were ecstatic when the result was announced. At one point there was talk that the fight might not go ahead because Blencowe had not made the weight.
McGowan said that normally she would have pulled out of a fight with an overweight opponent but because so many Perth people had bought tickets for the event she agreed to the fight going ahead.
But the 33-year-old Perth boxer had to change her whole fight plan at the last minute because her opponent was so heavy.
"It was absolutely devastating for me when she came in so heavy. I had to change everything I had trained for over the last eight weeks," she said.
"Usually my style of fighting is to use my jab to get in and start fighting. But with her being so heavy I had to keep her at a distance and wear her down round after round."
McGowan isn't sure what the future holds for her. She says she is likely to defend her title but she turns 34 in February and realises most of her professional fighting days are behind her.
"I've been fighting internationally for 13 years and that obviously takes a toll on your body. Although I definitely feel on top of my game I have to consider my health and safety as I get older," she said.
"I'll talk to my family, friends and my team over the next few days before I decide what I am going to do."
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