Katie Healy challenges for European belt on Spanish soil
Katie Healy’s passport has more stamps than most boxers, and she will add another on April 12th when she heads to the Casal Cultural De Castellbisbal in Barcelona, Spain, to challenge Tania Alvarez for the European super-bantamweight Title.
It will be the Spaniard’s second defence of the belt she won in April last year by unanimous decision at the same venue against Maria Cecchi, which was followed seven months later with another points win against France’s Odelia Ben Ephraim.
The 23-year-old has also gone the distance with now-former world champion Skye Nicholson and is certain to provide Healy with a stern test, one that she and coach Gavin Burrows feel fully prepared for.
“I have always made sure to be open to every opportunity,“ said Healy. “As soon as this fight was put to me by my team, I was up for taking it straight away. My focus is always on what I am doing when it comes to my training and preparation, and I let Gavin [Burrows] take ownership over looking at my opponent and working out what we need to do for each boxer, then we bring it all together in the camp.
“Tania’s style isn’t something new for me; I’ll be the taller of the two of us. She likes to come forward, and she is durable, and she will be doing the same as we are and looking at me, but I know I can adapt if I need to; I’ve shown that before.”
Healy, a former world kickboxing champion, has been with TMA Trojan Gym under coach Gavin Burrows her entire professional boxing career, and the pair have been locked in preparing for their latest task ahead.
Successful trips to South Africa and twice to the Cayman Islands have provided the 26-year-old from Wolverhampton plenty of experience in boxing in partisan venues, but her approachable personality, fan-friendly style and fun ring walks have earned her supporters wherever she has boxed.
“I’ve been fortunate that even though I have been in away corners, I have met some lovely people, and when I boxed in the Cayman Islands, we made it feel like home, and the crowds have been great. Nothing that goes on outside the ring affects me. I get tunnel vision when I am in there, and the only voice I hear is Gav’s.
”I have been in camp since just after Christmas, and I have learnt to prioritise looking after my body and knowing when to push and when to rest. Getting that balance right has meant my mindset is in a great place, and I feel fully switched on.”
A European title win would push Healy to the top end of the world rankings, and having already challenged for the WBA World Title in a gutsy display against Nina Hughes back in 2023, another shot at the pinnacle of the sport against the likes of Ellie Scotney or Jasmine Artiga could be the reward for a big performance on the 12th.
“Since day one I have always had the mentality of taking it one fight at a time; I never had a clear path in my mind, and that’s why I have been able to take such exciting opportunities all across the world.
”The European title is a major belt, and all my attention is on this fight. I have been doing this since I was eleven years old, and the second I don’t feel like I’m loving it, I know that’ll be the time to retire.
”It’s what I say to the young boxers at TMA: ‘you have to enjoy what you are doing’; it’s a dangerous sport, and you can get hurt, and right now I’m loving it, and what comes next I will think about after I become European Champion,” Healy confidently concluded.