Amy Broadhurst delighted to capture Irish title #15 after confidence-sapping 2017

Used to being the best, 2017 was a tough year for Amy Broadhurst.

The Dundalk lightweight claimed the Irish U22 title at 64kg via walkover, but would then go on to be beaten in the semi-finals of both the Irish and the English Elite Senior Championships.

A double European gold medalist at underage level – and also a winner of European silver and EU gold – Broadhurst is not too accustomed to losing, and took the defeats hard.

The fighter, who splits her time between Dundalk and London, redoubled her efforts and came roaring back at the weekend to claim the U22 lightweight crown – her FIFTEENTH Irish title win

Looking back on her unanimous decision win over Crumlin’s Nicole Moorehouse, Broadhurst told Irish-Boxing.com that “my final was quite comfortable for me.”

“I was in against a good opponent who had won Irish titles and represented Ireland so it was a nice win for me.”

“I finally felt back to my old self! I was able to relax and just let everything flow. For the first time in my career, it wasn’t just all about two punches. I tried to throw every punch in the book. I was happy with the win!”

It was a good start to what she hopes is a big year, as well as the perfect way to put behind her a disappointing 2017.

The Muirhevnamor fighter admitted that “last year was probably the most tough year I’ve had since I’ve been boxing.”

“It wasn’t tough in the sense that I had difficult fights, it was more tough on the mental side of things because I lost in both Elites in very close fights and I lost a lot of confidence because of that. So to get back into the ring and win boosted my confidence a lot especially putting in a good performance!”

Whilst in London, Broadhurst trains with the famous Islington club, and the 20-year-old can see pros and cons in comparison to back home at Dealgan.

Broadhurst described how “for my boxing, it was very difficult living in London, although I had some great people by my side who put a lot of effort into me with, the likes of Lenny Hagland and Winston Worrell. I still found it difficult to work along with making weight and training!”

“Back home in Ireland I have my father Tony who does my diet and trains me all the time and Anto Donnelly. Lee Mackin has helped me a lot and my brother Stephen.”

“The sparring I got in London was very good, I had six to eight people to spar in Islington but at home in Dundalk there is one or two – but two that are top boxers!”

Her win on Saturday afternoon should see Broadhurst picked for the team heading to the European U22s in March, however there is also the small matter of the Senior Championships over the next month – with the potential for European and World Championships after this.

‘Baby Canelo’ outlined how “I’m weighing in for the senior championships this Sunday. I’m excited to give them another go.”

“I’ve more experience as an Elite now and I’m sure this time I will box a lot better than last year. My fitness and training is 10 times better than last year!”

“I said coming back from London that I just wanted to be back to representing my country so to be heading to u22 championships is exactly what I wanted.”

“I’m just excited to see what else I can achieve in 2018 with hard work.”