Bavvo’s unbelievable bravery not enough
Price (left) on the attack. Picture: Lawrence Lustig/Boxxer
THE history books will inform future generations Kirstie Bavington took part in the first women’s British title fight.
That legacy is indelible, it is there forever.
But the scores will reveal the one-sided nature of that moment in time, played out at Resorts World Arena.
Bavington looked levels below former Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price in their welter showdown, losing every round on all three judges’ cards, 100-90. You can make that every minute.
Southpaw Price, from Ystrad Mynach, was two, at times three or four, steps ahead of Pensnett’s Bavington throughout.
She dominated the 10 rounder on Boxxer’s Saturday super-bill and has now added another first to her glittering CV. The 28-year-old is the first woman to have a Lonsdale Belt strapped round her waist. And the amazing athlete did it in only her fourth fight.
What former European champ Bavington did show was bravery above and beyond the call of duty. The 30-year-old schoolteacher never stopped trying to ruffle Price and disrupt her elegant stride. She ended the fight on her feet – testimony to her dogged will – and bleeding heavily from her mouth.
She simply had no answer to the box-of-tricks in front of her. It was like watching a form of Chinese water torture, punches piercing Kirstie’s guard with sickening regularity.
Bavington (10st 6lbs) never stopped trying to cut the ring off as her opponent circled and sprayed combinations.
It was akin to watching someone try to capture fog in a jam jar. She’d inevitably run onto stiff punches. By the final two rounds, even Kirstie’s iron will appeared to be eroding under the incessant punishment. She was more hesitant, aware of the flak that would follow attempts to rush in.
The Welsh star was particularly adept at unleashing a right hook as she moved either to the left or right.
The fight followed a familiar pattern from first bell to last. Price, constantly on the move, pierced the Black Country boxer’s guard with razor sharp, straight combinations.
Kirstie soaked up two big rights in the second and a left down the pipe. More of the same was to follow throughout the contest.
Bavington appeared to stumble after a right hook in the fourth and clearly felt a big right, thrown by Price with her back against the ropes.
A quick-silver one-two connected flush in the ninth, yet, despite the ceaseless storm of leather, Bavvo kept rumbling forward.
Kirstie’s courage deserves the highest praise. But guts alone are nowhere near enough to beat a world class operator such as Price.
She can take some comfort from the fact female fighters with Price’s skill-set are few and far between.