Australian champion, Olympian and Ngarrindjeri woman Marissa Williamson Pohlman recently retired from boxing, saying goodbye to the sport which "Cost me. Blood, sweat and tears".

The 24-year-old and first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in boxing at an Olympic games continues, after saying goodbye to the sport, to advocate for women's safety both in the sport and more broadly, following a retirement announcement on social media detailing her experiences.

Pohlman began boxing in her teens and went on to win multiple Australian championships in her amateur career.

In 2023 she won gold in the women's 66kg division at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The same year she was the first woman to win the Arthur Tunstall Trophy, an honour given to the best fighter at the Australian Amateur Boxing Championships.

"Boxing changed my life. I travelled the world. I achieved things I never thought I could. I found pride," Williamson Pohlman said in announcing her retirement, but noted she suffered throughout a career which also brought many terrible challenges.

In August, Williamson Pohlman told the Senate inquiry into racism and hate against First Peoples there was widespread racism and abuse in Boxing Australia, and has called for an independent investigation into the sporting body.

She continues to advocate for women's safety.

"This next chapter is about protecting the next generation. I don't want anyone else to hurt the way I have," she said.

Williamson Pohlman retired with 20 career wins.