Kirsty ‘Bavvo’ Bavington co-challenges for the vacant European Welterweight crown with Hungary’s Timea Belik, in Wolverhampton next month.
Errol Johnson’s BCB Promotions are bound for Wolverhampton on 6th May with a popping fight card that has a European Title showdown taking centre stage.
The vacant EBU Welterweight title will be on the line and all eyes on the prize when Wolverhampton’s Kirstie ‘Bavvo‘ Bavington steps into the ring at The Hangar to cross swords with Timea Belik of Budapest, Hungary.
And the new champion will have some big boots to fill.
After the original title bout (scheduled for June) was postponed due to an injury to Olivia Belkacem, it was Oshin Derieuw who won the EBU title in August last year at La sale St in Switzerland.
Later that year, with a record standing at 14-0-0 the unbeaten Derieuw became a Golden Glove Winner in the ‘Best Belgian Female Boxer,’ category.
The opportunity for European glory will present in the Midlands, after Derieuw relinquished without making a defence.
Before Derieuw, and for much of the time since its introduction in 2013, the EBU Belt has been around the waist of Switzerland’s Ornella Domini.
Domini held the title twice, 2013 to 2015 and then for a year from Mar 2019 to Mar 2020.
Both Domini (15-2-0) and Ewa Piatkowska (16-1-0) who captured the title in November 2015, boast impressive records.
The pair clashed for the first time in 2018 when Piatkowska successfully defended the WBC World Female Super Welterweight Title in her home country, Poland.
For Kirstie Bavington, the boxer who also works as a PE teacher, at Beacon Hill Academy in Sedgley, this will be a second title shot.
In her first title shot she was outpointed at London’s York Hall by Cherrelle Brown, for the WBC International Super Lightweight crown.
This time around she needs to overcome Timea Belik, a former national and world title contender, who possesses a pro record of five wins and four losses.
Speaking to Dan Mole at BCB Bavington said: “I’ve been mandatory for a few months and it’s been a long wait, the title eventually became vacant and we picked the opponent that’s coming over.
“It doesn’t matter to me who gets in the ring, on the night, the result is in my hands and nothing is going to stop me. I want to stop the girl and get it done and dusted.
“I just need to keep focussed and you can’t switch off, at this level. I’ve done all of the right things and now I want to reap the rewards.
“I started my camp ages ago, waiting for a date. I’ve been up for my 5am runs, working and then training hard in the gym at night. It’s been non-stop.
“I’ve stopped playing football, to focus on boxing. At one point, I was at Crystal Palace, living in London with my teaching, and fighting as an amateur for Earlsfield (Boxing Club).
“From the start, I’ve been slung in at the deep end and this is no different. I have the mental strength to get through this and become the European champion.
“Sometimes, you have to fail to learn and the two (pro) losses I’ve had have taught me a lot. The last one (against Sandy Ryan) was a wake-up call for me.
Above – Bavvo (right) has Katarina Vistica on the run.
Below – TKO!! Bavvo turns away with Vistica failing to beat the count.
“Beating Becci (Ferguson) was a good result and I took on April (Hunter) at a few days notice. That was an away result that I really needed.
“No one will ever get the better of me for fitness or hard work, in my eyes, and I’m a much better boxer, on the back-foot, than I used to be, but I still like to come forward.
“This is a great opportunity and even better that it’s local, with all of my fans there to support me. The belt is there for the taking and it’s coming home with me!”
Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, from the BCB Box Office by calling 07493 582 261 or visiting myfighttickets.com.
MKUU AMANI 