TERESSA Perozzi has landed a pro manager and hopes to have a crack at the WBC belt early in the new year.

She signed up on Monday with Second's To Go Boxing President George Cuozzo, from New Jersey, who hopes to develop Perozzi, currently ranked sixth in her weight, into one of the best female fighters in the world.

Ironically Perozzi caught his eye as she was getting the better of his client Asa Sandell in a bout in September, which was controversially called a draw by Sandall's home judges. "He knew I won. He wanted to approach me then but didn't think it was appropriate." Perozzi had grown weary of the whole fight scene after that fiasco but an approach was made indirectly and she learned Sandall was retiring so there was no conflict of interest.

"He said what would it take to get you to sign with me because I want you that bad." Perozzi listed money to train either in New York or with sparring partners flown here.

With a son here and a well paying job as a massage therapist the money had to be right although she admits it is more about the thrill of boxing.

"I guess I really like it. I try to talk myself out of it but then I get that feeling. I don't know why. I love the training. I am very focused and disciplined.

"We have been negotiating back and forth but it is a really good offer. He's going to cover all my training and set up training camps and take care of my equipment, gear and find the fights.

"He has a lot of contacts in Europe which is really where all the money is.

"It's about $1,000 a round. Of course they try to give you as little as possible. But if you are good it isn't bad in Europe."

She said Cuozzo did great things for Sandall's career and she hopes for some of the same treatment. "He probably sees an opportunity here in Bermuda, I probably have a bit more to offer than the typical female boxer because I am the only one. I am educated and not too bad to look at. That kind of helps.

"People might think I am conceited but it's not. But seriously why is Laila Ali, besides the fact she is a good boxer, doing so well. She is very attractive.

"And why didn't Jacky Fraser, Joe Fraser's daughter not make it? She was just as good a fighter. I am bit more marketable."

Already plans are being made.

"He has already sent me a training schedule." A likely fight in Denmark has now fallen through but March or April could see her step into the ring.

She'd like to be fighting four times a year but this year has only managed two although he tries to stay fit and motivated between bouts. "But it is hard when you are the only one.

"I am now having a hard time to get anyone to fight with me." A possible match is with Shelly Burton who Ali stopped in the fourth round. "She wants an easier opponent before she takes on me.

"But my manager will come up with something. He has a lot of contacts." The ultimate goal is to fight for the WBC belt this year.

"It's the biggest belt in men's and women's boxing. If I get that belt I really won't have a problem getting opponents because everyone will be after that belt." At the moment it's vacant in her middle weight category and she is hoping to be ready to challenge by April.

Perozzi, who will be 34 on New Year's Eve, is keen to make her mark before it's too late.

"I don't think I have very many more years. I always have to think about my hands which I need for the massage. I have to be careful.

"I am learning to be smart about it rather than taking it anywhere at any price fighting anybody."