Submitted photo / Berlin Center native Zion Hensley poses after claiming her sixth national crown earlier this month.

Mahoning Valley native Zion Hensley is a six-time boxing national champion.

After taking down Mighty Marley Guerra from Las Vegas earlier in August, Hensley claimed her sixth national title, and the 14-year old is now the top-ranked fighter in both the 114 and 119-pound weight class, a rare feat.

Hensley competed in USA Boxing’s Junior Division (14-16) in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she won her sixth national crown.

Also earlier this month, the young brawler fought in the area, participating in “Fight Night at the Amp” at the Warren Amphitheatre put on by Hensley’s coach Kelly Pavlik.

In that bout, Hensley toppled Jade Rocha from Corpus Christi.

“We’ve been training nonstop, especially for this nationals,” Hensley said. “I had a really good camp for this nationals, but right now I’m on a break, so that’s good. I’m on a break right now, and then I’m gonna be back training in late September.”

That training regimen grows more intense as she does.

“I’m going to be in track, and that starts soon, so I’m gonna be running a lot, getting my legs stronger and faster,” Hensley said. “Then, of course, my upper body strength as well. Tire flips sledgehammer, resistance, weight training. All that.”

Those tire flips? Monster truck tires.

While currently on a break, things will ramp up for Hensley again soon as she prepares for another national tournament in December.

By now, Hensley is somewhat of a veteran on the nationals circuit, despite her young age. Each event, she’s recognizing more and more people, whether she just watched them fight, or fought them herself.

“It’s kind of crazy at nationals, you start to know everyone there,” Hensley said. “It’s crazy how one day you go there your first time you don’t know anyone. But then as you keep getting higher and higher (up the ranks and competing more), you start knowing just everyone there. You’ll be like, ‘Oh, that’s ‘what’s her name’. I know her.’ And it’s crazy, because you literally know pretty much everyone there.”

With goals of competing in the Olympics one day, racking up these nationals wins is just one part of the journey.

One of the next steps is attending the Junior Division camp in Chula Vista, California.

“You have to be winning. You have to be one of the top dogs to be able to go to that, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to make it there,” Hensley said. “I have to make adjustments in my fighting style and my training. Adjustments are just getting better each day, stronger for sure, and faster for sure.”

Arguably what has got Hensley most excited, however, is getting noticed by an international boxing governing body, World Boxing, highlighting her as a “promising” talent in its coverage of August’s national tournament.

“Now they’re going to be watching me,” Hensley said. “That’s what I’m mainly excited about, because I know that I’m getting noticed. Usually, I don’t care if other people notice me, but if I’m getting noticed by World Boxing and (people abroad), then I start getting more and more excited. … It just motivates me more to just get better and better and show off my skills.”

Hensley has another fight in the area coming up, set for Nov. 30, also put on by Pavlik. The location has yet to be determined.

Those interested in contributing to Hensley’s travel expenses can go to “Zion Hensley (Official)” on Facebook for more information.

Have an interesting story? Contact Brian Yauger by email at byauger@tribtoday.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @_brianyauger.