She's ready for combat.
Keyona Noel, a 2012 graduate of Texas High, is making preparations to fight professionally as a mixed martial artist.
Noel, 23, is new to the sport but has been boxing for three years. Her trainer, Jeff Pickett, says she has what it takes to fight at the next level.
"When I trained with Keyona, I noticed that she needed to be more consistent," Pickett said. "She is mentally and physically tough. I am impressed with her."
Pickett and Noel went to Karate Mafia in Bossier City, La., and trained with world champion Andrea Hall.
Noel says that a competition known as Fight Night piqued her interest in fighting professionally.
"I went through Fight Night, and I was good," Noel said. "People told me that I should go pro."
Her first Fight Night contest was in Texarkana then she fought at a club in Dallas. Noel found a manager in Delicia Thurston.
Thurston pays Noel's gym fees and helps with her schedule, which includes getting her to where she needs to be in the sport. She also pays Noel's trainer, who trains with her at Legends Gym in Texarkana.
"When I first met Keyona, her drive, motivation and consistency won me over," Thurston said. "She is a family person in everything that she does. Keyona is trying to set a foundation for her kids."
Noel has two children, Aaliyah, 5, and Kallie, 1. Her goal is simple: be the best that she can be. Noel had given up boxing, but she met Pickett, and he desired to train her.
"I can participate in any sport because I am athletic," Noel said. "I am doing this for my children so that they can have a better future."
She gets most support from Thurston, Picket, family and friends. Her message to others is simple: don't let anyone tell you what you can't do. You have to believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, no one will.
Noel knows that in order to achieve her goal, she has to train hard and stay conditioned.
"It's hard because I like to eat a lot," Noel said. That is where Thurston comes into the picture.
Among her other responsibilities, Thurston job is to encourage the promising MMA fighter. If she gets down or feels like she can't go on, Thurston motivates and pushes Noel to perform to her full potential.
"I am there to be a consistent drive behind the force," Thurston said.
Thurston gives a lot of credit to Pickett because he has been an avenue in helping connect the dots in getting Noel to where she needs to be.
Pickett has been a personal trainer for 25 years and knows many promoters. With his expertise and connections, he works diligently to try to get Noel on fight cards at various events.
With hard work and determination, Noel hopes to better her life and that of her children by turning professional some day.