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Loud and Proud – Lynn Harvey back on top following National Stadium return

She hopes to have something ‘juicy’ to announce in the near future, but that wasn’t why Lynn Harvey [3(2)-1(0)] was beaming ear to ear on Saturday night.

One of only three current female pros in Ireland, Harvey couldn’t contain her happiness following her win over Sara Regina Coca as she banished the demons from her last visit to the Home of Irish boxing.

The fact the victory came via disqualification after her opponent, a Muay Thai fighter by trade, kicked out could have taken the gloss of the win, but not for Harvey who roared with delight at the conclusion of the bout.

The world title hopeful wasn’t just content, but delighted in the knowledge she was ahead on the scorecards and was frustrating her opponent with a more varied approach to her game.

The 35 year old Kilbarrack favourite also took confidence from the fact she didn’t buckle when she realised for the second time in the Stadium ring she was faced with a heavier and tough foe, and was overjoyed this time as she proved she had the guile as well as the guts to get over the obstacle in front of her.

Indeed so proud was the usually humble ‘Hunter’ post fight, that she alluded to her pride in victory more often than David Attenborough has used the word when discussing Lions over his long career.

“I am feeling so proud of myself right now,” Harvey beamed when speaking to Irish-Boxing.com after the fight.

“I am happy she was tough. A few people thought it was going to be a quick job, but I am glad she was tough because it made me dig a bit deeper.”

“I am happy I didn’t panic. I told myself I had to step it up and that I can step up. I told myself I am well able for this. She was taking the shots, I was walloping her with some shots and she was taking them.”

“Then I was thinking ‘this might go the distance’ although I did feel her crumbling at times, but I was telling myself ‘you can’t rely on quick knockouts, this is set for the distance, you can crumble or rise to the challenge’ and I am so proud of myself that I chose the right option.”

Her Romanian foe certainly wasn’t the level or size of Mary Romero, the fighter that beat Harvey in November, but it was clear she was not going to be bullied from the off. Therefore Harvey adapted her style somewhat and started to counter punch rather than just try and steamroll.

The First Dates star claims adding that bit of flash to the fight she already posses was something she had been working on.

“I knew I had to box her,” admitted Harvey. “She was quite good on the inside and wanted a fight, but I know you box a fighter. Now I am a fighter myself, but I knew what was the best way to approach this fight.”

“I did enjoy making her miss and countering. I don’t usually act cocky like that, but I have been trying it in sparring with Carl [McDonald]. I feel if I act that way a bit I kind of summons a bit more style, even though I’m not naturally cocky,” she added before explaining she had no qualms about the disqualification nor did she think it took anything away from the win.

“I am very hard on myself and I would have been disappointed if I didn’t think I was winning when she kicked me. I know I was winning and I won the fight. She can’t be let away with that, in fairness it was natural reaction, but you can’t kick.”

“I was throwing new combinations and I had the confidence to try new shots. I am so proud of myself, I don’t usually say that, but I am delighted she was tough and I was winning. I couldn’t have done it without my team they are giving me the confidence to do it.”

Harvey, who boxed twice in the last few weeks, is hoping for a return as soon as April 1st on the first It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland, and is hoping to have some interesting news regarding that fight very soon.

“I am looking at April 1st and I might have something juicy then, I can’t say much now, but if it comes off I’ll keep you posted.”

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