(MAY 22)  In her most recent outing, last December, Marion Montanari lost a razor-thin split decision to Isabelle Pare in a hotly contested battle for the French national title. Just before that, she had come up short in another split decision to the talented and unbeaten Pare.

So its safe to say the 32-year-old from Bourgoin Jallieu has her back against the wall when she takes on compatriot Oshin Derieuw for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Womens International Light Welterweight title on Saturday May 27 in Louvroil, France.

Three straight defeats could provide her with a long road to get back on track. But being a high-level kick-boxer before switching to professional boxing in 2015, Montanari, a deceiving 2-2 (0), has been thrown in at the deep end from the start. And Deriew will be her fourth undefeated opponent in only five fights.

Oshin Derieuw (30), from Henin-Beumont, turned pro a year later than Montanari, and has compiled a spotless 5-0 (3) record against decent opposition. But there is no doubt that this will be her toughest challenge to date, in what is her first championship opportunity.

With plenty of local pride at stake, besides the WBF International title, the fight will be promoted by Boxing Club de Louvroil, and is the main event of a show at the Salle Marcel Dufour that includes four professional bouts and three amateur bouts.