Dundalk’s Amy Broadhurst eyes European Championships following English title win
Like something out of ‘the olden days’ when fighters used to regularly double up, Irish boxing had a winner at the English Elite Senior Championships at the weekend.
Dundalk lightweight Amy Broadhurst, just weeks after winning the European U22 title, stepped up to light welterweight and won three fights in three days to claim her first national title.
Boxing for Islington, where the Dealgan boxer is based during her frequent spells spent in England, Broadhurst defeated Armywoman Megan Reid in the decider.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to have won my first elite title,” Broadhurst told Irish-Boxing.com.
“Who would have thought I’d win my first one in England? It means a lot to me, hopefully now it continues. I’ve finally made my breakthrough as an elite.”
— Baby Canelo (@amybroadhurst12) April 24, 2018
A breakthrough indeed. The 21-year-old had entered the championships last year, being eliminated in the semi-finals. In Ireland, she has been a semi-finalist and a runner-up in the past two years.
Now it seems possible that Broadhurst could feature for England or Ireland at the Women’s European Championships which take place in Poland in two week’s time.
Nothing is confirmed at this time for the Muirhevnamor fighter, who is just happy to be active and building.
Broadhurst, whose father Tony is English, described how “after I lost my elite final in Ireland I wanted to gain more experience as an elite and hopefully get on to the elite European team.”
“I was nervous going over so soon after the Europeans [U22] but it was 100% the best thing for me to do.”
While the quality of opposition is similar, Broadhurst saw natural differences in quantity.
The strong southpaw explained how “there are a lot more boxers in England, I had 15 or 16 boxers in my weight in these elite championships. You’re bound to get four or five decent boxers in at that rate!”
“The levels would be quiet the same. There are some great boxers in both Ireland and England.”
“Islington boxing club were delighted. Lenny Hagland, the coach and owner of the club plays a big part in my life.”
“He has done an awful lot for me over the past 2 years so it was lovely to give something back. The 64kg title has been won by Islington 4 years on the trot before I had boxed so it was good to keep it in the club!”
