Age: 22
Instagram: @sophiealisch
Nationality: German
From: Berlin, Germany
Weight: Featherweight
Height: 5ft 6ins
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 9-0, 1 KO
Next fight: November 22 in Newcastle
When and why you started boxing:
I was a competitive tennis player from the age of nine. But when I was 13, my tennis coach suggested trying another sport to help me with my footwork for tennis. He said dancing and boxing were similar, and I chose boxing. I took a few boxing sessions, and after about a month, I decided I was finished with tennis and that I just wanted to box.
Favourite all-time fighter:
I am a Katie Taylor fan. I was always a Katie Taylor fan, and I will always be a Katie Taylor fan. When I started boxing, Katie was the first fighter that I looked up to. She is a really nice person and an incredible athlete.
Best fight you’ve seen:
I have one female fight and one male fight. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden. But for me, the best fight ever was Anthony Joshua against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium. That was just an insane fight.
Personal career highlight:
When I won a bronze medal at the European Championships in 2017 in Sofia. At that time, I had only had six or seven fights, and my opponent had over 100 fights.
Toughest opponent:
If I am honest, my toughest opponent is myself. I would say the only person who could beat me is myself.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best attribute is that I can adapt pretty quickly in fights. My worst is that when everything is flowing, I tend to try new things instead of sticking to the game plan.
Training tip:
Just enjoy training and everything else will come.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
Italian food, but specifically pasta and pizza.
Best friends in boxing:
That’s a tough one because I don’t really have a best friend in boxing. I am still in contact with the girls from the German national team. But as a professional, I don’t really have a best friend in boxing.
Which other athlete would you like to be:
Serena Williams when she was at the top of her game.
Last film/TV show you saw:
The Tour De France documentary on Netflix is what I am watching at the moment. The last film that I saw was the second Creed film.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Michelle Rodriguez or Margot Robbie.
Have you ever been starstruck:
When I met Katie Taylor. She said I was a really talented athlete. Katie is an idol of mine, and she is really famous and I got all emotional, and I didn’t know if I should cry or not, when she said those words. It meant a lot to me.
Last time you cried:
The last time I cried was when I was watching the Tour De France documentary. One of the riders got injured on a stage that he wanted to win because he wanted to retire afterwards. He got injured really bad, and I saw him crying, and I started crying as well. As an athlete myself, I could relate to the situation.
Best advice received:
Consistency is the key. Even when I have bad days that always stays in my head.
Worst rumour about yourself:
It’s not what I have heard, but I think it’s what some people may think about me. I think they think I am arrogant. Some of the girls in the amateurs used to say why did Sophie get that spot and why not me. I just think that some of the girls might think I am arrogant even though they don’t know me.
Something not many people know about you:
I have a teddy bear, which is always in my bag. He was always there when I was on the National team, when I went to the European Championships, and now that I am a professional. My teddy bear is always in my bag. He is like a lucky charm.