Bavvo: I’m going to keep the ball rolling

Kirstie Bavington shrugs off the blood spilling down her face

IT’S hard not to be moved by the indominable spirit of Kirstie Bavington, a true warrior of Black Country boxing.

The 30-year-old – a competitor right down to her boxing boot laces – has, through pride, determination and old fashioned bottle achieved great things. She has been crowned European champ and made history by taking part in the first women’s British title fight.

Those milestones were recently recognised when Bavvo, a teacher by day, was named Midlands female fighter of the year by the sport’s governing body.

2023 has, however, been a winless one. Three lost bouts against top calibre opposition – Canadian Kandi Wyatt, Lauren Price for the British welter crown and, last weekend, April Hunter, a boxer she’d outpointed two years earlier.

At Manchester Arena last Saturday, Kirstie fought with typical grit, but, hindered by a cut early on, suffered a flash knockdown in the seventh courtesy of a big right hand.

The early rounds were untidy, but the contest sparked into life from the midway stage. With blood running down the left side of her face, Kirstie traded with her opponent.

Hunter, from North Shields, took a narrow 76-75 decision, that brief touchdown proving decisive.

Kirstie’s wound was later sealed with three staples.

When I spoke to Kirstie this week, she was still smarting. “I was heartbroken,” she told me.

“It doesn’t matter how big the occasion or how much you get paid, nothing ever replaces the feeling of winning.

“This year has not been my year. I know I’ve had big fights, but I need a win. At this stage, I need to get the wins. I’ll keep knocking on the door and one day the door will open, I don’t want to end anything on a loss. There are a lot of fights still in me.”

“I was back training yesterday (Wednesday), I want to get back out there. I want to keep the ball rolling.”

Of the fight itself, Kirsty said: “I thought I was winning, I think it was the knockdown that edged her across the line.”

Bavington remains the only fighter to beat Hunter in the northerner’s eight fight career. That statistic should give Kirstie heart.

At present Bavvo is down, but she’s a very long way from out. Big fights still loom on the horizon.

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