Rejected challenger still eager to fight

Former Havelock North woman Arna Scott has not been deterred from boxing despite being turned down by Duco Events as a potential opponent for The Bachelor NZ runner-up, Naz Khanjani, in July.

Former Havelock North woman Arna Scott is using the disappointment of not being chosen to fight The Bachelor NZ runner-up Naz Khanjani to fuel her passion to give to charity.

After putting herself forward and "throwing down" the challenge to Miss Khanjani, fight organisers Duco Events shortlisted broadcaster Paul Henry's daughter, Bella Henry, or DJ Lily Taurau from Mai FM.

Naz Khanjani will fight in the charity bout on July 21.

Miss Khanjani will be fighting in the Burger King Road to the Title boxing bout in Christchurch on July 21. The fight will be undercard to heavyweight star Joseph Parker.

The Bachelor contestant quickly made a name for herself as the controversial, outspoken contender on the show. She eventually lost out to Bay woman, and the show's winner, Fleur Verhoeven.

Miss Khanjani took to social media when the series ended, issuing an ultimatum to keyboard warriors who were writing mean things to "get in the ring".

Campaigning as the "Miss nobody" who wanted to bring the outspoken socialite "back down to reality", Miss Scott posted to social media yesterday saying: "Duco has spoken and unfortunately they have picked two 'somebodies' ... I was so ready and pumped to start training."

She praised them for "putting their hands up" but was disappointed they were chosen for their status and not fitness merit.

"This has just made me more determined to get into the ring! I will be training my little heart out and will be ready to roll when the next opportunity arises!

"I was mentally prepared for the hard month ahead and my head was focused on training and winning."

The 24-year-old who now lives in Wellington was still planing to take up boxing star Asher Derbyshire's offer to train her and was keeping her eyes peeled for a charity match.

"If anything this has made me want to work harder, train harder and get into the ring."

Duco had since contacted the boxing novice to assure her that her efforts did not go unnoticed.

Miss Scott wanted said she felt Miss Khanjani had built the hype up around herself. "I'd really like to bring someone like that back down to reality.

"A charity event would be more rewarding as it will give me something to fight for," she said, voicing her ambition to lower New Zealand's child obesity rate.

"I have a huge soft spot for kids - my chosen charity or cause would be to raise awareness for child obesity."