SACHA Smith spent weeks preparing for her first semi-professional boxing match... but won the fight in less than a couple of minutes.

The 25-year-old, from Horsforth, undertook a strict dietary routine and tough training procedures, including hill sprints, sparring, bag work and weight training, to prepare for the challenge.

And all her hard work paid off when she won the fight in the first round – after just one minute and 22 seconds – by technical knockout, when the referee declared it could not safely continue. Sacha’s opponent was given an eight count before the decision was made to stop the bout.

Speaking ahead of the fight Sacha, who was sponsored by her Leeds-based employer, Corecom Consulting, said: "I’ve only been boxing for a year but I already have five competitive fights under my belt, winning four and losing just one.

"I’m very excited for this fight as it will be the first that is marked on my semi-professional boxing license, with this being my first European Boxing Federation (EBF) licensed fight."

She added: "I first got into boxing when I signed up to a charity fight last year, raising £350 for MacMillan Cancer Support. I really enjoyed the training in preparation for the fight, and so I decided to stick with it.

"Although I am well prepared for the fight, I am against stiff competition against Sam Dekota from Stockport, but I am confident my ten-hour-a-week training programme and intense dieting will place me in good stead for the challenge."

And so it proved!

Corecom Consulting managing director, Jonathan Sanderson, said: "It’s a pleasure to be sponsoring Sacha on such a big occasion for her. "

Sacha's fight took place on July 1 at The Bramley Villagers Community Club in Broad Lane, Leeds. The fight is listed on her boxing license as a win and she is undefeated.