SYDNEY - AussieJournal -- Model turned professional fighter Kate McLaren is Australia's new welterweight titleholder after defeating Kaitlyn Lodge to become the New South Wales and Australasian ANBF champion. Trained by four-time world champion, Jeff Fenech, McLaren went the distance in a brutal fight against Lodge at Windsor Leagues Club on March 24, 2023, and is now Australia's top-ranked women's welterweight fighter.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," said the English-born fighter who now calls Sydney home. "It was not an easy fight by any means and Kaitlyn was a very tough opponent. I would like to thank all my supporters and team for being there on the night and giving me strength when I needed it the most in the weeks leading up to the fight."

The fight between McLaren and Lodge was the main event on the Friday night in Sydney's west and went the whole six rounds. McLaren won the fight by a close margin in what was a hard-fought and emotional victory, and she dedicated her win to her late grandmother who passed away during her grueling 12-week training camp.

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McLaren now has her eyes firmly on her next prize- becoming world champion. While she is in discussions as to when and where her next fight will be, she will be continuing her training and work in the community with her non-profit, It's Her. McLaren founded It's Her in 2022 to give greater support to young women and at-risk youth in the community through health, fitness, and mindfulness. She is looking forward to using her new title of ANBF champion to bring awareness to the mental and emotional health of young girls, and the large role that having a good mentor and a healthy lifestyle can play in changing lives.

"I see teenage girls struggling with their self-worth and not knowing where to turn for help, and I relate to them so much because I used to be exactly like them," says McLaren. "As the new NSW and Australasian ANBF champion, I want to show them that you really can do things beyond your wildest dreams and be whoever you want to be no matter where you come from. That is something I am incredibly passionate about."

For more information on Kate McLaren, please see https://www.katemclaren.au

Kate McLaren Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katemclarenboxer

It's Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsher_ig