Model-turned-boxer reveals punishing regime retains her combating match for professional bouts

Carla Jade used to be a ring girl and model – but now she’s more used to bloodying her opponents’ noses than posing, after turning herself into a super tough pro boxer.

And ahead of the defence of her Misfits lightweight title, the glam 37-year-old mum-of four has revealed the secrets of how she did it to the Daily Star.

Carla says: “I love the hard work that goes into it. There’s no excuses, there’s no cheat code.

“I’m quite an active and healthy person but I don’t come from any athletic or boxing background.

“It was an alien world to me when I started two years ago, but for me to progress and win a title on my second fight, I feel really proud of myself. It’s great to be able to show my kids that if you want something you just go out and get it.

“It’s such a massive reward when you’re facing such tough opponents and winning.”

Carla currently holds the 115lb lightweight title in Misfits boxing, a discipline that sees internet personalities and influencers face off.

Set to face social media star Erika Night in the ring on October 10, she says of her new career: “At 37 and being a mum of four, juggling the training and running the house is the most difficult thing. And the sessions can be really hard.”

In the run up to a bout Carla, from London, typically runs five times a week doing 3 or 5k and spends 14-15 hours in the gym.

She explains: “I’m doing cardio, strength work, eight rounds of pads and six rounds of sparring, four times a week. We do sprints and runs. I have a treadmill at home, but I’ve had to embrace running outside as it’s a lot harder and I enjoy it now.

“It’s a very intense regime and it’s important to get my rest days too.”

Ahead of the fight Carla has a particular challenge when it comes to weight.

The 5ft8in star says: “The belt I actually have is in the division below me. It’s not my natural weight but that’s the fight I was offered. I walk around at 65kg (136lbs) and now I fight at 52kg (115lbs) so it is quite a lot of weight that I have to get off. I have a team around me to make sure I do it safely.”

Carla, who is typically 13 per cent body fat by the time she fights, adds: “I have a very strict diet. Not a lot of fat and I just have carbs when I’m training and a lot of cardio.

“In the run-up to a fight, sometimes I’ll wear a weighted vest or do some inclined walks on the treadmill. I’ll reduce dairy as well as salt and glucose because it holds a lot of water weight.”

She eats around 2000 calories a day, filling up on porridge, egg whites, tuna, sea bass, salmon and sweet potato, rice and pasta.

Carla adds: “I need to be in calorie deficit before a fight but it’s also important to get them in to make sure we’re fuelling the training.”

She also has protein shakes after training for recovery, taking in at least 60g of the stuff a day and avoids alcohol while in training too.

“There’s no room for guilty pleasures,” she laughs, “but I enjoy the discipline because when it comes to the win you feel even more reward from it.

“And I always celebrate by having a burger after a fight and a red wine.”

Carla, known for her powerful left jab, says the female fighters like her wear groin guards and breast protectors, but admits: “Injuries can be scary. We fight with eight-ounce gloves with no headgear, so it is something you have to take seriously and looking after your body is really important.

“My last injury I picked up you could tell my ten-year-old was concerned. It definitely comes with its worries.”

But Carla would recommend taking up boxing as a way of keeping fit. She says: “It’s a sport that forces you out of your comfort zone and puts you through all your paces. It’s a great way to keep fit as you get older. I absolutely love it and I’ll do it as long as my body keeps going.”