A former winner of Miss Germany has announced a surprise career switch – and will swap the catwalk for the boxing ring at the age of 33.
Tatjana Genrich was voted Germany’s most beautiful woman in 2022 and has now announced she will make her professional boxing debut next month in Magdeburg, rekindling her childhood love of the sport.
Genrich was the Saxony-Anhalt state champion in the flyweight division for amateur boxers between 2007 and 2009. And she recently opened up on why she originally went into the sport, saying: ‘At school I was often bullied and I wanted to find a way to defend myself. That’s how it all started.’
This then led to her attending a sports school in Halle, Germany where she was picked up by boxing promoter Ulf Steinforth. Years later he reconnected with the model after her fame and stature had grown and suggested the former amateur champion try her hand in the professional ranks.
When asked about their talks, Genrich said: ‘Since I sponsor the ring girls at his boxing events, he approached me one day and asked if I wouldn’t like to get back in the ring. I finally agreed and am now about to make my professional debut.’
Only four years ago she was Miss Germany… now Tatjana Genrich has her sights set on a career in boxing
The supermodel turned boxer still posts regularly to her 44,500 Instagram followers and owns her own modelling agency
Genrich will be hoping to her journey will inspire a new generation of young women into different sports
Promoter SES Boxing are backing Genrich to become the country’s next big superstar, saying: ‘Tatjana can follow in Regina Halmich’s footsteps. She has all the necessary qualities, an incredible presence, and is extremely ambitious.’
Halmich won 54 of her 56 fights during a storied career between 1994 and 2017 which saw her become one of the most successful female boxers of all time, and also modelled for German magazines.
To prepare for her first fight fight on November 14, Genrich – who also runs her own modelling agency with 80 models under contract – has begun a rigorous training routine that sees her spending five full days a week in the gym.
In her corner she will have coach Dirk Dzemski, who guided Robert Stieglitz to world champion status in the 2010s.
Genrich also detailed another motivation to succeed in her new career, saying:’ I want to be a role model for young women and show them that you can be successful in both your career and sports.
‘I train in areas like posture, running and choreography. This prepares me for competitions as well as events like fashion shows.’
