Reflecting on her journey from Brixton Hugenote Amateur Boxing Club to training in Northcliff, Bernice ‘The Badger’ Ferrera said she had nearly given up on the sport several times before reaching the highest level.

“Just don’t give up, because I almost gave up so many times. I’m grateful that I didn’t because if I did, then I wouldn’t be here right now,” Ferrera said. Her message is rooted in experience. Truter said one of the biggest challenges early in her boxing career was not getting enough opportunities to compete, despite spending years training. The lack of opportunities made her question whether to continue.

Turning professional eventually brought more fights, but she said success also depended on finding a team with the right connections to secure meaningful opportunities. She credits her family, preparation and faith for helping her maintain belief in herself. “My parents brought me up with a lot of self-confidence,” she said, describing her family as close and supportive.

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She also spoke about the role of faith in her life, saying she speaks to God every day and believes her achievements would not have been possible without Him. For Truter, winning her first world title was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. The IBO belt gave her the opportunity to prove what she had long believed about herself.

The WBC title was equally significant, she said, because it represented another level of achievement in the sport. Her second world title also taught her that reaching one goal did not mean she had to stop striving for more. “Every goal that I tick off the list just comes with another one added,” Ferrera said.

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Truter hopes her story will encourage young people, particularly those growing up in communities affected by poverty, gangsterism and drug abuse. She described coming from an area where she felt there was little hope for young people to succeed, but said her own journey showed that a different future was possible.

She wants to give back to people who may be in the position she once found height in, offering encouragement and helping others access opportunities. When asked what she wanted people to remember about her years from now, Truter said resilience and perseverance were central to the legacy she hoped to leave. “What matters is how much you believe in yourself and having great coaches around you that believe in you,” she said.

Her ambitions in boxing remain high. Ferrera said a rematch with Caroline Veyre for the WBC belt was expected to be on the cards, possibly early next year, although she described that timing as a guess. She also wants to pursue other world titles and challenge for the belts currently held by Alycia Baumgardner.

For now, the message she wants young people to take from her journey remains simple. “The big secret is don’t quit,” Ferrera said.

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