‘I hate losing’- Bronze doesn’t glitter like gold for ‘proud’ Amy Broadhurst
Bronze just doesn’t glitter the same way as gold in the eyes of Amy Broadhurst.
The Dealgan BC fighter claimed her first senior International medal via a third place finish in the European Women’s Championships last week.
It’s a massive achievement for the 22-year-old, one which cements her status as a world level lightweight operator, but yet the member of a successful boxing family returns home with mixed feelings.
The Dundalk fighter defeated former world champion to claim bronze and was only denied silver and the chance to fight for gold by one, Mira Potkonen- the Finn with Irish previous having beaten Katie Taylor in the Rio Olympics and Kellie Harrington in the previous installment of Euro’s.
Still Broadhurst’s ambition going into every tournament is gold – and in that regard she isn’t smiling as bright post returning home.
“I suppose as an elite the medals mean a whole lot more, but I don’t think it stands out [from some of the underage success] because it’s bronze. If it was gold then it would be amazing on my record but it’s not so I will have to keep pushing until I get one. Then it will be my biggest stand out achievement.”
“After my very first Europeans when I was 15 I felt pressure because it was such a big deal at the time, but adding pressure to yourself only makes things a whole lot worse,” she adds.
“I don’t think of it anymore. I get in the ring everytime of course aiming to medal and to win. If I lose I don’t care if people start thinking ‘oh she is no good’ because I know one loss doesn’t define anything. We all lose, it’s part of boxing so I just enjoy it.”
Equally the fighter doesn’t allow previous success go to her head.
Reflecting on the semi final reverse to the now well known Finn Broadhurts admits she was supervised by the eventual scoring.
The Tokyo hopeful certainly wasn’t arguing the result was surprised to read how wide some of the cards were post the 30-26,30-27,30-25,29-28,30-26 result being confirmed.
“I found it a bit odd alright,” she responds when asked about the scoring.
“All I wanted was a fair shot but when I seen the scores afterwards I was shocked. I won the first round, and they give it 4-1 against me, then we had a 50/50 2nd round where we were both landing and having our own good moments. Somebody gave it 10-8 and then the 3rd she won.
“She didn’t give me a beating she had good moments and 3 judges give it 10-8. I’m not complaining over the result because it was a close fight and she came on stronger but the scoring on cards shows a completely different fight.
“Afterward I congratulated Mira, herself and her coach said it was a good fight and a very tough fight, so if it was a very tough fight why had judges given it 10-8, it was bizarre. But it’s done now, I just wished they had judged it fair. But at the same time it was a pleasure sharing a ring with such a boxer.”