by David P. Greisman

One of the best female boxers in the world is going to try to make it in pro wrestling.

Ava Knight is one of 40 finalists for the upcoming season of World Wrestling Entertainment’s “Tough Enough,” a reality series in which aspiring athletes and pro wrestlers strive for a spot on WWE’s roster.

Those 40 men and women were among more than 11,000 people who sent in audition videos, according to the show’s website. They will appear at WWE’s Performance Center in Florida this Wednesday, a tryout that will narrow down their numbers until there are the 13 contestants for the television show.

Highlihgts from the tryout will be shown on the streaming WWE Network on Tuesday, June 16, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This season of “Tough Enough” will then premiere on USA Network on Tuesday, June 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Knight, 26, is 13-2-3 with 5 KOs. She fought for titles at 115 and 118, losing to Ana Maria Torres in 2009 and fighting to a draw with Kaliesha West in 2011. Knight ultimately went on to win world titles at 112. She lost a decision to Ibeth Silva in 2013 and then came back last November, outpointing Guadalupe Martinez.

Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com