Teresa Perozzi’s biggest challenge during tomorrow’s WBA world middleweight title defence against American April Ward could come from within.

Throughout her illustrious career the Bermudian southpaw has earned a reputation for her aggression in the ring. But she may be forced to exchange her aggressive instincts for a more conservative approach as this time around the onus will be on her rival to take the fight to her at the Teachers Rugby Fight Night at Berkeley Institute.

“Teresa doesn’t have to go out there and prove anything to anybody,” said coach Jermal Woolridge. “She just has to go out there and fight smart and don’t get too wild and give April an opportunity to upset her.

“Teresa is the champion and has the belt and so the onus is on April to take the fight to her.”

Perozzi will step into the ring with Ward as the favourite. However, Woolridge has urged her not to take her orthodox opponent for granted.

“I imagine April has a few tricks up her sleeve and will definitely do everything she can to try and get the upset,” he said. “But if Teresa sticks to the training methods that I have been training her with and goes out there with a clear head to defend and do what she’s instructed to do I don’t see any problems.”

Perozzi says she has benefitted from training with San Shou (Chinese boxing) fighter Woolridge.

“This is a different type of training for me this time and I think it’s better,” Perozzi said. “I feel really great and I think we are going to see a new and improved me.”

Woolridge reckons the reigning WBA world middleweight champ is in pristine shape.

“Teresa is looking good and she can definitely go the distance, I have no doubt about that,” he said. “So as far as being fight fit she is definitely ready.”

And so is Ward who has a height and reach advantage over Perozzi.

“We have been training hard not to lose but to win,” declared Ward’s manager and co-trainer Brandon Foster. “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.”

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

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

Under WBA rules, Perozzi has to defend her belt every six months and a victory over Ward tomorrow night would earn the Bermudian a shot at Lori Nelson’s WBC world middleweight belt.

The fight will consist of ten, two-minute rounds and is to be officiated by WBA certified judges and referees.

Tickets are available at ptix.bm, the International Sports Shop and Pro Shop.

Only those 18 and older will be permitted to attend the event.