Kiwi Mea Motu doesn't need a world title to prove she's a champion, following her triumph for the IBO super bantamweight belt.
Motu defeated Canadian Tania Walters by unanimous decision in the main event of the annual Fight for Life at Auckland on Thursday.
But while most were holding their breath as the judges' verdict was read out, the mum-of-five was already basking in victory.
Motu was visibly overcome with emotion after she was crowned the new queen of the division, but it had nothing to do with the result.
Her journey to glory has been anything but easy for the domestic abuse survivor, and admits to previously wanting to give up on life.
But with the help of her family and trainer Isaac Peach, Motu battled back, making her a champion before she won the belt.
"When they were calling the results, I didn't even know who was winning, because I wasn't even listening," she said.
"I started getting emotional because I already felt like I had won, because I had let everyone know who I am.
"I felt like a world champion because I got people out there that are supporting me, and if that's all it takes to save one life in this day and age and help a child or [anyone] going through mental health, I feel like a champion.
"I didn't need that title to be a champion, I already felt like a champion, I just wanted to fight, that's all I wanted to do.
"That's why I was proud of myself, for completing it and I just wanted to show everyone out there, no matter what struggle, or whatever you're going through, you can accomplish anything."
Motu won't have to wait long to get back in the ring, with her first title defence slotted for July.
While the scorecards in her unanimous decision over Walters suggested a comfortable win, it was anything but.
The Canadian's short stature frustrated Motu, but she wouldn't have it any other way, and was just another hurdle of the many in her life worth overcoming.
"I want the next belt, I'll just keep growing, that was a learning curve for me, and that's how I get better - learning, and having the hardest fights," she said.
"That's what's going to lead me to become the best, I don't want it to be easy, I want it to be hard, because I want to grind, I want it to be worth working hard for.
"Nothing in life is easy, you've got to work, you've got to bite down and grind. I've got to be taught, that's the only way I will learn to be great.
"Nothing is going to stop me. If I fall, I will pick myself back up and keep going. Too many people think that if we fall, that's the end of it, [but] no, we get back up, keep grinding, don't give up.
"If you want to chase that, don't stop, don't title yourself. I'm 33, but I feel like I'm 22."
