Commonwealth bid beckons for Vicky
Vicky Wilkinson…bout with Kirsty Hill looks set to be upgraded
VICKY Wilkinson’s mouth-watering clash with Midlands’ female prospect of the year Kirsty Hill – originally slated for the Midlands junior-lightweight belt – is set to be dramatically up-graded.
Vicky’s trainer Tony Marshall believes the pair will now battle for the vacant Commonwealth title, some time in September. Precise date and venue is yet to be announced.
If so, it will be the third time Wombourne’s Wilkinson has fought for the Commonwealth crown. She looked terribly unlucky to only draw with local favourite Kristine Shergold in Torquay last September. That appeared a seaside shocker.
There were no complaints over the 40-year-old’s second loss – for the lightweight title – five months ago. In Liverpool, Rhiannon Dixon felled the Black Country battler with body punches. Overall, Vicky has won five of seven (one draw) and collected the Midlands title.
In tall Hill, Wilkinson faces a 31-year-old who has lost only one of five. Kirsty was named prospect of the year at the recent Board of Control Midland awards.
Vicky was also honoured at the ceremony, picking up the “fight of the year” gong.
When the Board of Control announced the two women would be boxing for the Midlands title, trainer Marshall complained that Hill hails from Grimsby, very much not a part of the Midlands as we know it.
Historically, however, the Board of Control’s boundaries differ from traditional geographical one. Grimsby comes under the Midlands jurisdiction.
Tony is happier a much more significant belt is now poised to be on the line.
He said: “It looks like they’ll be fighting for the Commonwealth. I’m pleased. Like I said before, Vicky and Kirsty fighting for the Midlands title was like a French boxer fighting for a British title.
“I work nights as a lorry driver and can tell you Grimsby is not in the West Midlands.”
Geography apart, the pairing is a quality one.
Tony added: “Kirsty Hill is a good, tall fighter who will try to outbox Vicky.
“Vicky has just come off holiday and looks in good nick. She’s not someone who puts on that much weight and she’s had a good rest. Now it’s down to the graft.”