Mascot’s Che Keneally steps out of boxing ring into the world supermodel pageant
ASPIRING professional boxer Che Keneally is stepping out of the boxing ring and on to the catwalk.
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ASPIRING professional boxer Che Keneally is stepping out of the boxing ring and on to the catwalk.
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The 19-year-old from Mascot is competing in her first international pageant as Miss Teen Oceania at the World Supermodel Pageant in Fiji on November 23.
A boxer since she was four, the Mascot beauty, trained by legendary trainer Johnny Lewis, aspires to boxing for Australia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
But there will be no sparring, jabs, uppercuts or punching at the pageant, where she will compete against beauties from around the world for the Miss Teen crown.
The personal trainer and journalism student is ready to swap her boxing gloves and boxing shorts for a tiara and evening gown.
“I’m ready to take off my gloves for a week and put on some heels and a ball gown for eight days in paradise to give it my best shot competing against 24 other countries at this year’s World Supermodel Pageant,’’ she said.
“I would like to win - the experience is out of this world and it will be good going there and getting some experience and get some profile shots and build from there.’’
A self-confessed sports fanatic who has excelled in track and field and surf lifesaving, it was a chance meeting with MissTez owner and make-up artist Terri Smith at the Mr Espresso cafe in Mascot, which drew her into modelling and pageantry.
Approached by Mrs Smith if she would like to do a model shoot, the Mascot boxer’s natural beauty proved an instant hit.
“We sat down for a coffee and chat then before I knew it, I was sitting in her home studio doing my first ever photo shoot,’’ Ms Keneally said.
“One thing led to the next then eventually she invited me out to the World Supermodel pageant on a sponsorship from MissTez to compete for the Miss Teen Oceania title.’’
Ms Keneally has no plans of giving up boxing and with a powerful right hand punch, she is a force to be reckoned with in the ring.
She won her first international fight in PNG and boasts a record of four wins including two knockouts and one loss in five fights.
Her father Drew Keneally is a former boxer and friend of Lewis, who trained former world champions Jeff Fenech and Kostya Tszyu.
Keneally said her right arm punch was equal to or better than a lot of male boxers.
“She’s very determined and she’s got power on her,’’ he said.
“She’s got that knockout power in her right hand.’’
Lewis, who trained former world boxing champions Jeff Fenech and Kostya Tszyu said her ability to dominate opponents with both her left and right punches put her in good stead to challenge for a medal in Brazil.
“There’s no reason why she can’t achieve that,’’ he said.
“I’d be disappointed if she didn’t get there.’’
“She is potentially, as far as female boxers, a real superstar, she has it all.’’
At home in the boxing ring, Ms Keneally admitted she is still trying to adjust to the demands of modelling.
“It’s a little different because when I’m modelling I’m a bit more nervous,’’ she said.
“It’s something I’m not used to but it’s something I can get used to.’’
Ms Keneally is sponsored by MizzTez Makeup and Media and Lonsdale, who provide her with boxing gear and apparel.
AT A GLANCE
WHO Che Keneally
AGE 19
WHERE Mascot
WHAT model, boxer and personal trainer
GOAL To win the World Super Model Pageant and box for Australia at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil
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