When former Hawai'i resident Eileen Kuwaye Olszewski takes to the ring against Stefania Bianchini in Rovigo, Veneto, Italy on Friday, it's a safe bet that she'll be adorned with her usual lei po'o and "Hawai'i" boxing shorts.

If all goes according to plan, she'll leave with one more accessory: the WBC flyweight world title belt.

"The WBC belt is no Mickey Mouse thing, but she definitely has what it takes to win it," said David Selwyn, Olszewski's manager. "It's difficult to beat a champion in her own home country — you have to dominate them or knock them out to get the win — but (Bianchini) has no amateur experience. Eileen actually has more fights under her belt that she does."

Olszewski, a 1986 graduate of Kaimuki High School, has a modest professional record of 4-0 but was undefeated in 28 national amateur bouts and 3-4 in international competition.

All but unknown in Hawai'i, even among local boxing fans, Olszewski has compiled an impressive resume in her seven-year career, including three U.S. National titles, three U.S. Women's Golden Gloves titles, three N.Y. Daily News Golden Gloves titles and a Pan-American Games title.

Olszewski's path to title contention was hardly conventional. Trained in ballet, she worked as a New York Knicks dancer for three years and did stunt work for "Mortal Kombat Live — The Tour" before launching her boxing career in 2000.

Fighting primarily in the 112-pound weight class, Olszewski proved indomitable as an amateur, earning instant respect with her 2001 tactical dismantling of then-undefeated Jamie McGrath, a two-time USA boxing champion.

Olszewski combines her middle name and the initials of her maiden and married names for the impressive fighting moniker Miyoko K.O., but she's more of a technician than a knockout artist. All four of Olszewski's professional fights were won on decision.

Still, the 5-foot-3 fighter has more than the requisite toughness for an elite boxer.

In a match in New York last month, Olszewski stood toe-to-toe with an aggressive Suzannah "Destiny" Warner to earn a four-round decision.

Olszewski lives in New York with her husband and trainer Matthew Olszewski.

According to Selwyn, Olszewski — who turns 39 on Sept. 17 — is well aware of her brief window of opportunity. She plans on retiring sometime in the next two to three years, Selwyn said.

"Eileen is at an age where she can't build a record of 10-0 to fight for the championship," Selwyn said. "In women's boxing, you don't need many fights to get a title shot. Unfortunately, there's no reward at the end for female boxers. There's no HBO or Showtime or Pay Per View — that doesn't happen in the U.S."

Selwyn said Olszewski, who also has a kickboxing background, might consider mixed martial arts competition once she's through with boxing.

For now, though, her sights are set on bringing back a championship souvenir from Italy.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.