False Lottery Claim Leads to Boxing Career

[Champ]

By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND - Elecia Battle's reputation is on the ropes. A year after she gained instant fame by claiming that she lost a winning Mega Millions ticket worth $162 million — until the real winner turned up — Battle says it's hard for her to find a job. So she's decided to become a professional boxer instead.

The 41-year-old said she's been training for seven months and will be ready to make her debut in January. Her ring name? "Mega Battle." Battle got her state boxing license in June, noting her criminal record on her application.

"I can knock a 20-year-old out. I'm in great shape," she said.

And she still insists she thought she bought that winning ticket.

The mother of four grabbed headlines in the United States by saying she lost the winning ticket for the Dec. 30, 2003, drawing when she dropped her purse outside a convenience store in a Cleveland suburb.

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