Bavington’s rise is a real Cinderella story

Kirstie Bavington (left)….title chance on home soil

FOR Kirstie Bavington – PE teacher by day, championship fighter by night – it’s been a rollercoaster ride to Black Country celebrity status.

The 30-year-old has risen from obscurity to claim the European welterweight belt and gather a legion of supporters.

They’ll be there, on March 10 at Wolverhampton’s Hangar Events Venue, when Kirsty attempts to take the vacant WBA intercontinental title. In the opposite corner will be Canadian Kandi Wyatt whose 10-4 record includes a three world title shots – at light, light-welter and welter – and an appearance at Vegas’ famed MGM Grand.

It’s certainly not a “gimme” for the local girl done good.

Kirstie, from Pensnett, is enjoying the status of sporting hero in her community.

Speaking during a free period at Sedgley’s Beacon Hill Academy where she works as a PE teacher, Kirstie said: “People are stopping me and asking for an autograph when I go to the shops. But my job at school brings me back to reality, that puts me in my place.”

She switched on Brierley Hill’s Christmas lights and has appeared on major televised boxing bills.

From humble beginnings in the business, Kirstie has now added a “mind coach”, Robert Hisee, to her team. “It’s about manifestation and positive thinking,” she said.

It’s all very heady stuff for a boxer who began her 11 fight career (two losses, two draws) with a draw at Villa Park’s Holte Suite.

Few fighters have shown such improvement – and Kirstie has done it by facing the best and gaining invaluable lessons from those encounters. A clear case of iron being sharpened by iron.

She was outpointed at York Hall, Bethnal Green, by Cherrelle Brown in 2019 and took “next big thing” Sandy Ryan the full, six round distance two years later.

Kirstie licked her wounds and learned from those setbacks. Last year, at the Hangar, she outpointed Timea Belik for the European title and successfully defended the belt against Naomi Mannes in Rotherham.

Now the world awaits.

“What’s happened is all written in the book,” said Kirstie in a rich Black Country accent. “I’ve come from nothing and experienced the highs and lows. I believe in karma – everything is done, everything happens for a reason.

“I’ve been up against GB athletes, I’ve fought away from home and I’ve studied my weaknesses. Hopefully, I can fight for a world title, but it’s all about raising your profile. They don’t give away those chances.”

Kirsty, a product of Lions ABC in Brierley Hill, had 12 unpaid fights and faced something of a dilemma when signing pro forms.

She also excelled at football, representing Wolves and Crystal Palace. It was a case of deciding which sporting discipline to pursue and she chose boxing. That now seems a very wise move.

“I was doing both sports,” Kirstie explained. “I was losing and drawing in boxing and decided I had to pick. I felt I’d gone as far as I could in football and focused on the boxing.”

Of the upcoming bout with Wyatt, Kirstie added: “She’s made a number of title challenges and, style wise, she’s similar to me.

“She throws a lot of straight punches. We’re working on a number of things.”

It’s a big fight and, on March 10, the Black Country will be out in force to salute its own Million Dollar Baby.