Teresa Perozzi is so confident she will retain her WBA middleweight belt at next week’s Teachers Rugby Football Club (TRFC) Fight Night XIV, she hasn’t even bothered to view footage of her next opponent.

The Bermudian southpaw will rest her title on the line against American April Ward during a ten round bout at Berkeley Institute School Gym March 10.

Perozzi has stepped up her training at Rego’s Gym in recent weeks in anticipation of a successful title defence against the orthodox Ward on home turf.

But when asked has she had the chance to view footage of Ward in action in the lead up to the fight, Perozzi replied: “I haven’t really tried. I know what I can do so that’s what I am preparing for.

“I know what I need to do physically and mentally to be ready to fight.”

Perozzi is currently sparring with San Shou fighter Jermal Woolridge who will face off with Canadian Martello Jones at Fight Night XIV.

“I’m working with Goofy (Woolridge) and so this is a different type of training for me this time and I think it’s better,” she said. “We did ten rounds last night and finished on a good note. I feel really great and I think we are going to see a new and improved me.

“My preparation is coming along really great and she (Ward) better be ready for me to put the pressure on her for ten rounds if it goes that long.”

Ward’s manager and co-trainer Brandon Foster reckons his fighter will be able to withstand whatever Perozzi throws at her.

“We know she is going to put on a lot of pressure, so that’s what we are prepared for,” he said. “We are going to be ready.”

Like Perozzi, Ward has stepped up her own training in anticipation of victory over her Bermudian rival in what will be her first bout on foreign soil.

“We have been training hard not to lose but to win,” Foster declared. “We are going to put on a good show .

“This will be by far April’s best fight so she’s trained twice as hard for this fight as any other she’s had so far. Her skills are a lot better than even what they were a few months ago at her last fight (with Lucretia Meacham last December).”

Perozzi’s record currently stands at 8-4-1 compared to Ward’s nearly identical record of 8-4-0.

Ward will enter next week’s championship fight with a height and reach advantage over Perozzi whose boxing career began at Fight Night.

Perozzi landed the WBA middleweight belt via a split decision win against American Lorissa Rivas in Trinidad last December on the eve of her 38th birthday.

The mother-of-one is now eager to impress in front of her home fans.

“I am very excited and focused and everybody is pulling for me,” Perozzi said. “People that I never thought would even go to the fight tell me they have their ticket already.

“Everybody is excited and I think it’s going to be a great night. Ticket sales are going all right and hopefully people come out to support.”

Tickets for Fight Night XIV can be obtained at the International Sports Shop and Pro Shop or online at ptix.bm.