Kirsty is out to spoil the party for Vicky

Kirsty Hill…fights for Commonwealth title on Friday

KIRSTY Hill has set her sights on spoiling the party when she co-challenges for the Commonwealth super featherweight title.

Her day of reckoning is at the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, on Friday, September 15, when BCB Promotions host another show there. 

She travels from Grimsby to take on Vicky Wilkinson, who has already battled to a draw for the belt and won the Midlands crown, both on points. 

Hill has never been past six rounds, but has completed that distance in all five of her pro outings. The 32-year-old, who is a firefighter, has four points successes and one loss. 

She and Wilkinson have two wins over Beccy Ferguson, with Hill additionally overcoming Vaida Masiokaite, on her debut, and Linzi Buczynskyj.

She was a stand-out amateur for Cleethorpes Trinity Boxing Club and is still coached by Andy Cox, with Matty Teague on board as manager. 

Her clash with Wilkinson was due to be for the latter’s area honours, as Grimsby is deemed to be under the jurisdiction of the British Boxing Board of Control’s Midlands area council.

Hill said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me, seeing as it was originally going to be for the Midlands title. It’s good for the area that I live in, too, and puts boxing on the map there. 

“It’s the fight that we wanted and were putting the feelers out for, now here we are. When I got the call, I was over the moon. 

“I know that Vicky is an experienced professional who has completed a few championship fights, but we have just been concentrating on what I’m doing. 

“I’m generally a boxer who is tall and rangy, but I can do a bit of both. My inside game has certainly improved. Stylistically, it should be a great fight. 

“I’ve boxed for England and had trials for Team GB before, but I got to a point where I’d done the amateur circuit and wondered what I could do professionally. 

“I had over 40 fights and won more than I lost. I got to a national final (England Elite tournament 2019). I didn’t get the decision, but it was close (versus Louise Orton, on a split).

“I got to win an East Midlands regional title and an English Challenge belt, so I’ve had some success and I’m determined to do more. That’s why I turned pro. 

“I wasn’t well on my debut, as I’d had the flu, but I kind of went along with it anyway and straight into six rounds. I didn’t bother with four because I wanted to be fast-tracked. 

“I’ve had two fights with Beccy (Ferguson). The first time was away from home, on short notice, and then we had a rematch a week later. It was a bit of a whirlwind!

“I kept it long and stayed behind the jab in the first one, but the second was more high-paced and I worked more on the inside. They were decent performances. 

“When I got beat (by Elizabeth Oshoba on points), she’d had three previous opponents and stopped them all, but I grew into it and finished stronger. I gave a good account of myself. 

“Then I had Linzi (Buczynskyj) and she’s a Central area champion, but I managed to get the win and I was pleased with that. There was pressure on me and I came through it. 

“Win or lose, I’ve got another fight at the Grimsby Auditorium in November. That’s going to be a six-rounder, so I’ll be out again before Christmas.”

*Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.