her father was sexually abusing her 12-year-old sister hosanna and eventually the abuse turned toward i was a kid i wanted to be something else far beyond what i was going through. >> reporter: reeling from the pain in her childhood, the lost teenager found an outlet. when you were 19, a friend told you about a boxing gym. >> i geared up in the sharpest athletic gear i had and i went in there and i was like, i want to be a champ. when do i start? >> reporter: and that day changed your life. >> it changed everything for me. i never left. what gave me a home away from home, it gave me people that supported me. >> reporter: bonded by their past, it's her sister whose support has meant the most. you also had to watch your older sister go through a lot of abuse. and do you think in some ways that created the fighter in you? >> oh, definitely. i felt helpless like i couldn't do anything at the time. she is protective of me. i'm protective of her, even now. still, to this day, we have this strong bond. you've seen her in the audience in the stands. she is the loudest one. i am so proud of he