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Perozzi predicts bumpy ride for foe

Teresa Perozzi has issued a war cry ahead of tonight's three title bout against "Swedish Sensation" Asa Sandell declaring, "I feel great and ready to fight".

Perozzi's duel will be screened live on Swedish TV with over 5,000 partisan spectators set to descend on the Lofberg Arenais, Karlstad.

The 33-year-old will be laying her North American Boxing Council title on the line, while Sandell has put her WBE belt up for grabs.

To up the ante, the World Boxing Council has also thrown in their Intercontinental title making the fight a potential blockbuster, with women's boxing forbidden in Sweden until recently.

With a rematch already scheduled for Denmark in February, the pair could also end up fighting for the vacant WBC title.

"Since my arrival I've been treated like royalty," Perozzi told The Royal Gazette. "I've never experienced such a well promoted event before. The hotel is beautiful and city and people even better.

"The press conference went great and I sat next to former world heavyweight champion Ray Mercer who whispered in my ear he believes my fight will be fight of the night.

"I believe Sandell, as well as the promoters, feel she is in for a very tough fight and I'm confident I'll be victorious.

"I've no insecurities about being in Sandell's home town. I've bumped into her a few times and I can see she's very popular.

"The only thing I didn't bring along was a Bermuda flag and national anthem. Unfortunately we can't get one in time so 'God Save the Queen' and I guess the British flag will do."

Perozzi needs no reminding of the career-defining opportunities on the horizon with a possible prize purse fight against undefeated Russian boxer Natascha Ragosina in the pipeline should she prevail.

An intense ten-day training programme in Albany, New York, with trainer Rick Sweeney has seen her achieve the best condition of her career, making yesterday's 172.6lbs weigh-in at 158lbs.

Costs of the trip were covered by Ministry of Sport funding, with Perozzi able to completely devote herself to training and take two weeks off work as a masseuse. The 6ft tall Sandell, a trained journalist, has built up an extensive and loyal support and has been described by Perozzi as the female version of Vitali Klitschko (pictured).

Southpaw Perozzi has enjoyed unanimous home victories over Martha Dietchman, Roselin Morales and Yvonne Reis since she knocked out Scroller Carrington in Trinidad for her title.