Naomi finds out what it takes to be the best in a sport were getting hit should never stop you. The UKs very own Cathy Brown talks to Final Fitness about her amazing carrier as a professional boxer.

FF: What made you get into boxing?
CB: I started kick boxing at 22 to keep me grounded, as was very assertive and just finishing at university, moving to London.  Had 25 kick boxing fights and was unbeaten.  I got approached by a boxing promoter in 1998 (at 28) and said I should get my professional licence as there was only one other female pro in the UK. I fought all over Europe and got ranked to number 3 in the world at flyweight, winning an English Title (the first one in boxing history in the UK by British Boxing Board of Control) and a European Title.
 
FF: How often do you train?
CB: depending on how near a fight I was, but when I was over six weeks away once a day, 6 times a week and when six weeks away twice a day, 6 times a week.  I retired 2 years ago but still train 5 to 6 times a week, mixing strength weights, sprints and boxing. I think it is really important to keep your body strong and fit even though your not competing.  Especially when your 39! (keeps you young) and have a boyfriend 10 years younger than you.
 
FF: How have you varied your diet since you started boxing?
CB: Massively ! I got qualifications in nutrition so I could understand how to get myself stronger and fitter through diet.  Diet is one of the most important things you need to be really strict.  I still watch what I eat, and eat for health now, so I will drink red wine now and again now and the odd dessert. Basically, I eat porridge every morning, snack on protein, eat so many vegetables, fish and chicken throughout the day, I eat little and often. Although let my hair down over the weekend, not completely though.
 
FF: Do you find that boxing keeps your stress levels down?
CB: Definitely, If I am really upset about something i train hard, and I am so much more easy going if I train every day.  It makes life nicer for those in my life.

FF: How do you get into the mood before you fight?
CB: I block off from as many people as possible (especially those I know annoy me), I stay away from loved ones as the last thing I want is to be affectionate. I tend to listen to quite hard core hip hop and rap (mainly female: Lil Kim, Missy Elliot etc).  I can definitely understand why there are so many aggressive teenagers out there, listening to hip hop everyday, if I listened to hip hop all the time, there would be mayhem, ha ha. I also have mental exercises I do to keep me focused.
 
FF: Do you find men are scared of you when they realise you are a professional boxer?
CB: Scared no, intimidated yes, especially when they see I am good at fighting. It's hard as I am really lovely outside the ring and horrible inside the ring, different person when you want to win badly and there can only be one winner.  A lot of men feel that you will take the aggression of the fight into the home, but I have never raised my hand to a lover, they are there to love not to fight.  It doesn't help that I am strong mentally as well and tend to speak my mind.  But, it has taken me years to find someone equal to my mental strength and stronger than me physically but can treat me like a lady.

FF: How quickly did your body change since you started boxing ?
CB: My body adapted very quickly and because I could see change I got even more addicted and wanted to get even stronger.  I then studied anatomy and physiology to understand how the muscles and organs work so I could get myself ultimately fit and strong.  I think boxing and kick boxing are the best forms of fitness, they get you strong, fit and mentally confident.

FF: What advice would you give to women who want to build the confidence to get into a sport such as boxing?
CB: Follow your dream and don't let anyone stand in your way or deter you from your road to sucess.  It doesn't matter if you arn't as strong as other people in the class/gym, everyone starts at the bottom and works up, use those people as inspiration not a deterrent.
 
FF: How often do you injure yourself, and how do your loved ones cope with it?
CB: I injure myself a lot but its part of the course, I just work through them.  My parents didn't want me to box.  Firstly, because I had a degree in photography and worked as a forensic photographer, so had a great job and secondly, they were embarrassed their daughter was a boxer so we made a pact to never talk about anything to do with boxing.  Consequently, they never knew about any injury I had. I was single throughout most of my professional career so dealt with any problems by myself of with my physio. I have had bleeding brain, bad concussion, broken hand, nose and ribs.  Black eyes, cuts, torn calf muscle and fractured pelvis.  Each and every time, I never gave up as I feel that if you stop your body and mind does as well and hence you don't heal as strong.