By 3 News online staff
Jaime Ridge and The GC star Rosanna Arkle have faced off for the first time before they meet in the boxing ring.
Ridge, 18, and Arkle, 23, will fight in an undercard match at the KFC Godfather of Fight Night on July 5.
At a press conference this afternoon, Arkle – who will fight in a bikini – said she plans to “knock [Ridge] out and then go get some KFC”.
Ridge said the fight was a great opportunity to "stretch her boundaries".
“It’s a challenge," she said. "It’ll be good.”
The daughter of former All Black Matthew Ridge is being trained by former Warrior and boxer Monty Betham, who says he is pleased with how her training has progressed.
“I thought about her and I thought, ‘surely she’s got some of her dad’s traits in her’ – which is a guy that had mental toughness and the ability to push pain barriers.”
Betham says she has been improving “out of sight” and has “had a few tears”.
Arkle says her training has also been intense.
“It’s different, which is what I like about it. I obviously enjoy fitness, [but] this is totally new to me – learning a new sport at the same time.”
Asked whether she’ll knock Ridge out, Arkle said, “I’ll do my best”.
Ridge said she has not spoken to her father about the fight, however Betham had received a text message from him telling him to "keep up the good work".
Sally Ridge was present at the press conference and said simply “Go for it, honey” when asked if she had any words for her daughter.
Ridge conceded there are "absolutely" people who will be watching the fight wanting to see her get hit.
“I think in boxing there is two sides; some people come to watch you win, some people come to watch you get put on your bum and that’s the great thing about it," Betham said."I can tell you that Jamie is working very hard to make sure that she doesn’t get put on her bum.”
3 News