The real Predator in da house

Paul Kariya has been known mostly for his elegance and brittle skills around the ice-rink. Not many of us have known that the real Predator in the house is the 27-year old Noriko, Paul's sister. In the ring, with the "g" at the end, not "k".

And it looks like, she's got her sights set pretty well at making it big:

“I want the sport to get to the point where you can’t see a difference between men and women, stylistically,” said Kariya, who is 5 feet 1 and 118 pounds. “Till people follow women’s boxing, not because you’re someone’s daughter or sister, but because you’re talented.”

And she's a tough act to follow, too:

"Last month, when the Predators played the Devils at Continental Arena, Noriko sat 11 rows up from the visitors’ bench. Paul did not know she was there; she did not tell him. He had not given her a ticket; she had not asked. After the Predators defeated the Devils in a shootout, there were no words or greetings. That’s the way she likes it.

“I’m not very close with any of my brothers,” she said."

Well well well, first Laila Ali, then Mia St. John - is it me, or are the female boxing challengers getting more and more atractive? ;). Just don't tell them that, I wouldn't like to get punched in the nose next time I'm rink-side. Beg your pardon - RING-side.

(photo courtesy of www.nytimes.com)