Australian boxer and former beauty queen Avril Mathie has revealed how a chest reduction surgery has positively impacted her professional performance, marking a significant turning point in her athletic career.
The 37-year-old athlete, who holds an impressive 8-1-1 record and was crowned Miss Swimsuit USA International in 2014, recently underwent surgery to remove her breast implants. Upon returning to training, Mathie discovered substantial improvements in her technique.
“Today was my first day punching anything in more than two months (since before the explant surgery), and for the first time ever in my boxing life, my forearms can actually defend both my chin and body simultaneously, and I will be able to throw straight punches longer and faster now that the implants are not in the way forcing my elbows out,” Mathie shared on social media alongside a training video.
The professional athlete explained that the anatomical changes have revolutionized her defensive capabilities. “My elbows can now touch my chest at the same time as my hands can protect my face for the first time in my life,” she revealed during a YouTube Q&A. “I’ve always had a stopping block in the way, so it was always a choice between: ‘Do I want my hands protecting my ribs or protecting my face?’ Coaches were always yelling at me.”
Mathie, who received her implants at age 19, made the decision to remove them following medical consultation. While she acknowledged that the recovery process was “really brutal,” she maintains it was worthwhile. “I feel like my life as a boxer is about to get a lot easier and more opportunities,” she added.
The Australian athlete competed for the vacant IBF inter-continental super bantamweight title at Madison Square Garden in February 2023. Though she was scheduled to compete against Ebanie Bridges later that year, an injury forced her withdrawal, with Miyo Yoshida stepping in as her replacement.
Now back in training, Mathie is focusing on adapting to her new physical dynamics. “Old habits die hard, so here I’m doing reps on reps to teach my elbows their new position,” she explained, expressing confidence that her technique will be “tight” within weeks.
Mathie’s story is not unique in the world of combat sports. Many female athletes have faced similar challenges related to implants. Hungarian MMA prospect Franciska Szabo, also known as the ‘Hungarian Hurricane,’ recently decided against replacing a damaged implant that was causing widespread inflammation in her body. Szabo discovered the issue during MMA training and opted for removal, choosing to prioritize her career and physical well-being. “I’m never going to replace the implant because it’s very difficult to train with,” she explained, noting that the absence of the implant has made her feel “even more myself” as she prepares for her MMA debut.
UFC strawweight Mackenzie Dern has taken a different path. The high-profile star has openly discussed continuing her MMA career with implants, addressing both the challenges and durability of the implants. “They’ve done a lot of experiments; they’re very strong,” Dern said, while admitting she gets nervous about potential risks, especially during impact-heavy matches. Despite this, Dern has proven that implants do not necessarily hinder performance, returning to competition just four months after giving birth and maintaining her place among the sport’s elite.
