Queenstown's Nicola-Ann Kay took up the sport just 11 months ago and, in her first season, has received the Noel McTanish Cup for most improved Otago boxer, male or female.
Of her eight amateur bouts, she has won six.
The 25-year-old said if she could have those two lost fights again it would be a different story.
Her coach, Stewart Mitchell, of Fight Science Queenstown, said she was already Otago's best female boxer but she needed to prove it to herself.
"She is her own biggest critic and that can be a good or bad thing at times," Mitchell said.
Kay will line up against South Auckland's Hurricane Doyle, who has more than 50 amateur fights to her name, has represented New Zealand and is "built like David Tua".
Mitchell admits the odds are against Kay.
"We've stepped straight from novice to world class. It's a big, big, huge step up.
"It would be a bit of an upset and it's massively against us. But anything can happen."
If Kay causes an upset, she will head to Canberra on March 25 for a competition that could send her to the Olympics in London.
"It's an absolutely huge opportunity for her. Not only can she qualify, but she can get noticed nationally. Really Nicky's got nothing to lose."
Both boxer and coach agree the ultimate goal for the season is to be crowned national champion in Christchurch in October - not bad for a woman who took up the sport last March to "get fit".
To do so, Kay must first become Otago's best by winning the regional tournament on March 10.
"To be honest with you, she is [Otago's best] now," Mitchell said.
"Her biggest strength is her commitment and dedication. She needs to start telling herself she belongs where we are going next week and, if she can pull it off, we will see a different fighter again."
Kay herself is a bit more apprehensive about next weekend's fight, but like any aspiring boxer she has nailed the talking-the-talk.
"If I fight at my best, I think I can beat her," Kay said. "I have my very best days and I have my very worst days. Boxing is not plain sailing - it's an emotional roller coaster."
Kay, a 75kg middleweight, has had sparring sessions with her coach as well as Invercargill heavyweight Tom Heads, and fought in the ring with one of New Zealand's former female champions, Dawn Chalmers.
"Stewart has been trying to get me out of my comfort zone. There is nothing else we could do better than what we have done to prepare myself."
A regular week for Kay consists of three mornings running 30 to 40 times up 60 flights of stairs, five to six nights a week in the ring and one extended run to "stretch" the legs.
"This is my dream and basically we are just fast tracking my dream. I want to do well, fight at my best and know I have done my best.
"I love it, even when trainings end in tears. I wouldn't go back if I didn't love it."
