A MUM of two from Carhampton has recently won the Southern Area Boxing title after taking up boxing to help her through a tough period in her life.

Lucy Payne, a 36-year-old mother chose to take up boxing at the back end of last year and early 2023 to help her overcome a dark period in her life.

Fast forward to December 2023, and Payne has won the Southern Area Title Middleweight belt after winning by technical knockout in the first minute of the first round.

Payne said: "I'm a single mum of two boys, Toby, who is 13, and Ronny, who is 9.

"I chose to do boxing through having the hardest times of my life tested and its the most positive step I have ever made.

"This is a huge thanks to my amazing boxing coaches who have helped me on my journey."

Currently, Payne is a coach at Tavern Fitness and Martial Arts, a boxing coach at Fitness Station in Minehead, and also works at Dunster First School. 

She wanted to thank her coaches and sponsors for their support in 2023.

"A big thanks to my coaches Simon Gorman, Lewis Cartwright and Carl Burrows. 

"And also to my sponsors, Kwik Stop Williton, Fitness Station Minehead, Wonder Woman locksmith Minehead.

Payne won her first fight in February, then her second in July and of course the title fight in December, all while fighting in aid of Valley Kings Foundation under promoter Faisel Ghazghazi.