Meet the first professional fighter in Australia to wear a hijab into combat.
But Carol Earl, a 39-year-old mother-of-three from western Sydney, is no gimmick – she is just 15 minutes away from becoming a world Muay Thai champion.
Earl is fighting for her first world title on Friday night, against intimidating German Meryem Uslu, who has 39 wins from her 49 professional bouts and is a reigning world champion.
And Earl will engage in a brutal battle of punches, kicks, knees and elbows wearing a constrictive garment she describes as feeling like “someone is suffocating me”.
Earl, a Muslim who took to wearing the hijab at age 26, has grown used to shocked stares as she enters the ring for her fights.
“I believe that in my religion we are to be covered, that is our way as Muslim women,” Earl said.
“I do not remove my veil for a fight even though it would be easier for me.
“One person made a comment that it might stop me from getting cut, and I asked them to try it and see how it feels, because the first two rounds it feels like someone is suffocating me.
“It is extremely tight and there is no ventilation until my body is absorbed in its own sweat. It is really tough being covered.
“And you do feel everything - compression gear is not designed to stop you getting hurt.”
To alleviate opponents’s concerns, a fight official always checks Earl’s hijab, specially designed by her sponsor Skins, to ensure there is no protective layering inside.
She weighs in for her fights in private, with only her opponent and a female official present.
Her husband, Wayne Earl, who is also her chief sparring partner, says: “Sometimes when she’s walking into the ring we hear boos, but as soon as they see her fight they start cheering.
“Carol is as proud an Aussie as you’ll get, and she’s not like your average female fighter.
“Most girls, when they get punched, they’ll want to clinch and take stock. When you punch Carol in the face, she comes forward and wants to bang.”
Born in Lebanon, Earl moved to Australia aged just six months, yet did not take up fighting until she was 34 with three children; Sarah (11), Noah (nine) and Jazmin (six), at the urging of her husband.
“Being a mother, and naturally an introvert, I thought ‘I don’t think I can do this’, I planned to have one fight, and now I’ve had 22,” she said.
And her record is phenomenal for such a late starter, with 16 victories including a South Pacific title, Australian title, and two state belts.
Now she confronts the biggest challenge of her career; five three-minute rounds against a bona fide world champion for the WKF Muay Thai belt at Punchbowl’s Croatian Club.
Her growing fan base has given Earl the belief that not only is she gaining serious momentum in the fight game, but also changing perceptions in the community.
“Most people that follow me are Shire men,” said Earl, who carries an Australian flag into the ring, while the flag’s design adorns her trunks.
“And they all say they have changed their views of my religion since they’ve got to know me.
“That wasn’t what I was aiming for as my priority when I began fighting, but I am proud of that.
“They see that we’re no different to anybody else. For them to show so much respect, it is great.
“Being the only one in this country to do it this way, I am happy with that. I feel like I am some kind of ambassador for my religion.
“But I also want to make Australia proud.
“My plan is to stop her before the five rounds is up and hold up that world title.”