BRITISH women boxing is now dominated by the Burmese Python. This Burmese Python has a history of bank jobs, headbutting and poor ballet.
Nicola Barke (28), makes her pro debut tonight against Gabriella Mezei, a seasoned Hungarian kickboxer and taekwondo instructor. She has had a long and difficult career in taekwondo and Lethwei, a Burmese martial arts where gloves are prohibited and skull attacks are allowed.
The Luton super-featherweight's bold move into combat sports came after a far more traditional start in dance -- but she definitely feels more at home throwing a one-two than wearing a tutu.
She stated, "I was terrible at ballet for 16 years. It was useless.
"I never won a medal or a trophy in that time. I remember telling my parents that I wanted to do the opposite, and that I wanted to fight. So I began taekwondo.
Barke makes her debut in boxing tonight
"I know that a lot boxers use dance to improve their boxing technique.
"But I was so terrible that I don't know if all my experience will be a help to me or a hindrance."
Barke, who supports her accomplishments through a day job at HSBC, believes her only real battle outside the ring was a childhood battle against narcolepsy.
She stated that she was aware of the comedy aspect of it growing up. My parents used to tie my ponytail at dinner so that I wouldn't fall asleep in gravy.
"I laugh about it now, but it was difficult as a teenager because it is embarrassing to fall asleep in the cinema or at Pizza Hut for four hours while you go out and socialise.
We never discovered what caused it, but it was only when I began taekwondo as well as martial arts that it really started to improve. It also started hitting me in the head more often.
Barke didn't just spend her teen years fighting.
She was the winner of the Canadian taekwondo world championships and also received a first-class degree in biomedical sciences at University of West England.
After an injury setback, it was her vague understanding of biology that led her to professional boxing in 2021.
She stated that kickboxing is different from boxing in that we are more inclined to spar with anyone than someone in our weight classes.
I was sparring with a man a few stones heavier than me, and when he attempted to sweep my standing leg, he accidentally spun it away from my body.
"My knee dislocated. My ACL, hamstring, and hamstring went to pot. But, I managed to get my knee joint back in.
"I was able to drive myself to the hospital, without calling 999. However, I did have to call them at the end as I couldn't get out of my car after all the adrenaline and unexplicable giggles had subsided.
"The ambulance ride across the parking lot must have been the fastest ever."
"I was in a medical boot for quite some time after that.
HOSPITAL TRIP
"I was able to stand, but not kick at one point so I started boxing, hitting the pads or backs and then the idea of boxing and becoming a pro led me to this Saturday debut."
Although the Circus Tavern in Essex is famous for being boisterous, Barke has adapted to extreme situations because of her Burmese heritage.
She stated that her mum was from Burma and that she was the reason I had my nickname when I was kickboxing in Europe.
"But, after appearing on one show I was contacted in Burma by a promoter who saw my family heritage and my accomplishments and invited me to compete.
"It was an amazing opportunity, but I hadn't heard of Burmese Boxing before and it's not taught at any UK gyms.
"It was only after I got over there that I was told it was punches and kicks -- similar to a lot martial arts -- but with headbutts!
"The support was another surprise during that trip. My mum and me were traveling in a tuktuk, and strangers from Burma raced up to us.
"I thought that we were being held up by bandits, but they were so kind and polite. Then we drove past a massive billboard advertising the show and I was on it.
"So hopefully there will still be some people in Burma watching my debut this weekend.
"It's an amazing country that has experienced some really terrible times, but it seems pretty tough to me and my mom."
Nicola Barke, WOW Hydrate competitor, fights at Circus Tavern on Saturday.
For her remaining tickets, contact @the.burmesepython via Instagram
