KATIE HEALY INTERVIEW

Launching her professional boxing career with a points victory over four rounds, former world kick boxing champion Katie Healy defeated Claudia Ferenczi in Sheffield last month.

After a perfect start to her new life in the paid ranks, Healy was all smiles as she reflected on an evening that she will never forget.

“I enjoyed every single moment,” she said.

“It feels good to get the first one out of the way. It exceeded my expectations, and it was definitely one to remember.”

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After weeks of a gruelling first training camp, strict diets and complete concentration, Healy was finally able to let her hair down post-fight. Enjoying large pizzas, nights out and the great British sunshine, the bantamweight is now eager to “get back on the grind.”

“I had a really nice and relaxed time last week. I ate as much as I possibly could,” she exclaimed.

“But now we’re back on the training and we’re onto the next one.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring now.

“I went to the gym last week and we’re fully back on the training this week.”

The Midlander revealed that since her bout with Ferenczi, she has re-watched the fight in the search for improvements that can be made. Analysing the win, Healy shared her take on the match-up.

“I now know what I want to take into my next camp and next fight,” she said.

“On the whole, I am really happy, and it was a good debut to have.

“Claudia [Ferenczi] is a lovely girl and I spoke to her after the fight.

“I knew Claudia [Ferenczi] was very well experienced and that she is an awkward fighter.

“I have watched the fight back and I’m my biggest critic. I have already made lists of what I can improve on.”

Competing on a cold, wet and windy South Yorkshire night, one might assume that the slippery canvas and low temperatures detracted from Healy’s experience. Not even weather conditions, however, could dampen the mood as family and friends watched on as their golden girl took glory.

“I genuinely enjoyed the fight,” Healy said.

“I loved every single round.

“Usually when I am fighting, I just want it to be over. But, when the rounds were over, I wanted to carry on.

“I was starting to get warm in round four and I could have continued for another four.

“I was so happy to see that I was looking like a boxer and not a kick boxer anymore.

“We had a good plan that we stuck to, and we won the fight convincingly.”

Making her debut in such uncertain times, Healy was part of the pre-fight bubble that all athletes were required to remain within. Isolated from her everyday life, the only focus was on claiming a first professional victory.

Highlighting the support that she received throughout the process of her opening bout, the BCB and Fightzone boxer expressed her appreciation to those who made her debut possible.

“People don’t realise that having a good team behind you makes such a big difference,” she said.

“I was just so relaxed. Before I went out there, I was warming up and having a chat with Gavin [Burrows], Errol [Johnson] and Paul [Mann] in our little tent.

“I had a chat with Dennis [Hobson] before the fight and he was so nice and helpful too.

“It actually kind of helped being in the Covid isolation bubble before the fight. Being away from home, being away from work and just focusing on that. It all came together.

“We’re all one big family at Trojan and we love to see each other do well. It’s lovely to have all of the support.”

Summarising the experience, Healy seemingly moves forward having acquired knowledge that will serve her well in future fights.

“I’ve learnt massively from everything,” she said.

“From making the transition at the start, to upping it in a fight camp and doing strength and conditioning that I have never done before. I felt the best I ever did and that is one massive learning experience for me.

“To not only enjoy it as much as I did, but to make so much progress from the kick boxing days to the boxing days now was so rewarding.

“You learn from your wins, your losses and every single day in camp.

“I have that ‘fighter’s feeling’ back now. I’ve had a fair few fights in kick boxing, but that was the fight I have enjoyed the most.

“In each camp I will gain something new now.”

In a fast-paced industry, Healy has barely had the chance to take stock as she begins working towards her next bout. With plans in the pipeline, but with nothing certain as of yet, the boxer held her cards close to her chest.

“I’m ready to get the fights in now and the experience under my belt,” she said.

“I don’t have any exact fight dates yet, but we’re looking for quite soon.

“A few names have been mentioned, but I won’t say anything just in case nothing goes ahead.

“We want to get as many fights in as we can over the next 12 months and hopefully, we’ll be announcing something very soon.”