MOTHER-OF-TWO Natalie Warr is bringing a touch of pink to Lydney Boxing Club.

The 25-year-old nursery assistant – who readily admits her main interests are shopping, shoes and handbags – has developed a passion for boxing, after originally joining a club boxercise class just to keep fit.

Last week, she entered the ring for the first time at the Baggeridge Boxing Club in Birmingham, losing narrowly on points to Priory Park's Amy Smith.

Natalie accepts she doesn't fit the usual profile of a female boxer.

She said: "I'm placid and quite a girly girl really, outside the ring I'm a mum and not aggressive or confrontational at all. My boxing gloves are pink.

"But when I get into the ring or hit the bags it's a release of frustration. It's a controlled environment – I'd definitely recommend it to other women."

The first time Natalie got into the ring was to spar with club-mate Becky Preest.

She said: "When Becky hit me that first time I thought 'Ooh that hurt' but you need that to make you realise you've got to hit back.

"I now spar with a Welsh champion at St Joseph's in Newport.

"She's quick and strong and beats me around the ring but I'm learning all the time."

Natalie says her family and friends are generally supportive, although her mother isn't keen and thinks she's too pretty to be a fighter.

No one in her family has ever boxed before.

"I'm in it for the long term, I only wish I'd found it before," she said.

"I just love it and never miss a training session.

"It does take courage to box and fighting in the ring is completely different to sparring.

"I'm quite fit anyway but those three x two minute rounds, with a minute's rest in between, were the longest eight minutes of my life."

l ADAM Arkell (Lydney) had his 11th fight at the Baggeridge Club against Aaron Adams (Priory Park).

Unbeaten Adams – who had stopped his opponent in three out four bouts – provided Arkell with his biggest test to date.

However, there was not much in it, with Adams earning a majority decision.