SHELLEY Watts has gone from a relatively "inexperienced" boxer from a "sleepy holiday hamlet" to the favourite to take out gold at the Commonwealth Games, all in the space of 24 hours.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In her first fight Laurieton's Shelley Watts upset England's Natasha Jonas, who was ranked as the one to beat.
Commentators said, as the women faced each other before the fight, that Jonas was "light years ahead" of Watts in terms of experience.
In the wee hours of Thursday morning (Australian time), Shelley's skill and energy was too much for her opponent Isabelle Ratna from Mauritius.
Early in the second round the Ratna camp threw in the towel.
Shelley is now guaranteed a medal heading into the semi finals, which will take place on Friday August 1 around 6am Australian time.
Watts fights in the women’s 57-60kg lightweight division.
Based in Laurieton, she trains with Mark Grech out of Toe The Line Boxing's gym in Penrith.
She won an Australian title two months back, and only turned to boxing for fitness after recovering from a knee reconstruction in 2010.
As she sizes up a medal chance, it is a long way from lying in a bed worrying she might not be able to even walk properly again.
A talented athlete, Watts is also a former State Cup touch footballer..
The woman Watts defeated in the first round took to Twitter after the bout to praise our girl.
England's Natasha Jonas lost her round of 16 fight to Watts on a split decision, and despite her defeat the 30-year-old has admitted that she was proud of her effort.
She told BBC Sport: "Obviously it was a close bout. I thought had the last two rounds but that's just boxing. She's a brilliant fighter and I knew she was going to come and bring it.