Brave Healy fails to topple Euro champ

Katie Healy…setback in Spain. Stock picture: BCB Promotions

KATIE Healy’s gamble for European glory ended in defeat at Barcelona’s Casal Cultural De Castellbisbal last night (Saturday).

The Wolverhampton superb-bantam was outpointed by defending champ Tania Alvarez – and by a wide margin on the scorecards. One official had it a 10 round shutout at 100-90 and the other judges tallied 98-92 and 98-93.

The fight was a lot closer than those scores suggest. And Katie should be applauded for the courage shown.

For Healy – a former world class kick-boxer – it was the fourth overseas assignment in an 11 bout career.

The 27-year-old, trained by Gavin Burrows, took the WBF world title in South Africa and has twice notched up victories in the Cayman Islands. This was her first defeat on foreign soil and only the second of her career.

Alvarez, making the second defence of her European belt, was simply sharper and busier. The 23-year-old Spaniard has lost only once in 14 bouts – and that was to Skye Nicolson for the WBC silver featherweight title at Madison Square Garden.

Despite the wide scores, the bout was hard fought and gruelling.

Healy’s promoters, BCB, reported: “The opening rounds saw both fighters establishing their jab and trying to control the centre of the ring. Alvarez, the shorter fighter, looked to close the distance and work on the inside, while Healy used her height and reach advantage to try and keep the champion at bay.

“As the fight progressed, Alvarez's relentless pressure began to tell. She was effective in landing combinations when she managed to get inside, targeting Healy's body.

“Healy, to her credit, displayed resilience and tried to counter with sharp shots as Alvarez came forward. Urged on by coach Gavin Burrows, Healy was digging deep landing hurtful body shots that stopped Alvarez in her tracks.

“The middle rounds saw a back-and-forth battle, with both fighters having their moments of success. Healy used her footwork to create space and landed some clean punches from the outside. However, Alvarez's aggression and consistent work rate seemed to be edging the rounds in her favour.

“In the later rounds, with the fight potentially in the balance, Alvarez appeared to find another gear.

“Healy dug deep, trying to see out the final rounds and land a fight-changing punch. Ultimately, the final bell rang, signalling the end of a gruelling encounter.”

A spokesman for BCB said: “Despite the loss, Healy's bravery in taking such a challenge on foreign soil will have earned her plenty of respect and potentially lead to further big opportunities in the future.”