Kirstie Bavington showed true heart and determination as she made history with her opponent Lauren Price as they fought for the first ever Female British title. The historic contest was the co-main event on the Boxxer Promotions show at the Resorts World Birmingham (6.5.23). Thirty year old Bavington from Wolverhampton who was a former EBU European Welterweight champ has had twelve fights winning six and drawing two. Twenty eight year old Southpaw Lauren Price from Wales has won all three of her pro contests and won almost everything as an amateur including a gold at the 2021 Olympics. The fight was scheduled for ten two-minute rounds in the welterweight division with Bavington and Price weighing in ten stone six and Mark Lyson reffing.
Nothing really in the first round as both fighters took a look at each other. Scrappy second round with lots of holding and wrestling, would have to give this one to Price who got the cleaner shots off. Bavington kept the pressure on in the third but was getting picked off by Price as she came in.
Price was showing her Olympian credentials in the fourth catching Bavington with some lovely straight shots and slipping Bavington’s attacks. Price moved well in the fifth shooting out crisp eye-catching shots, Bavington was showing a lot of heart and continued to press but the levels were starting to show. Bavington looked frustrated in the sixth as she tried to pin Price down but as she moved forward the southpaw caught her with good shots as she came in. The seventh was more of the same as Bavington pressed and was on the front foot with Price moving well and catching Bavington with nice shots.
Bavington showed loads of heart and determination in the eighth but Price was starting to tee off on her banging in some eye-catching shots. Price seemed in a comfort zone in the ninth and was letting nice combinations go showing great movement. To the final bell Bavington kept coming forward with Price continuing to land shot cutting Bavington's mouth as she cruised to victory.
Judges Michael Alexander, Howard Foster and Kevin Parker all had it the same 100 to 90 to Price, I had it 100 to 91 Price.
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a great effort by Bavington, it was always was going to be a big ask and yes Price was a cut above but Bavington showed a lot of heart and determination to complete the ten rounds and make history. Bavington can move on from this and continue her boxing journey and either going for the European title again as she never really lost it or try to British title route when Price moves on. Bavington has achieved a lot in her career and I can still see more in her future. Bavington is an inspiration to all the pupils she teaches in Wolverhampton and will continue to be a role model showing anything is possible if you believe in yourself. I look forward to seeing Bavo in the ring very soon.
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