The Black Country’s Kirstie Bavington retained her EBU European Welterweight title beating Naomi Mannes in a unanimous points decision. The fight was the headline fight on the Fightzone show which was held at the Magna Centre Rotherham (19.11.22). Mannes (28) from Germany came into this fight with a perfect record of 6 without defeat. Bavington (30) from Wolverhampton had won her last three contests and won the EBU Title in May of 2022 beating Timea Belik in a near shut out performance winning on a unanimous points decision with the judges scoring the contest 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92 In her home town.
Bavington weighed in 10 stone 4 with the German coming in 10 stone 6 with Giuseppe Quartarone reffing the contest.
Bavington controlled the fight from start to finish with Mannes unbeaten record looking in trouble from the start. Mannes had some joy but nothing to bother the BcB fighter as who looked levels above the German. The fight went the scheduled ten two minute rounds where it went to the judges score cards. Judge Vladislavs
Kadikis scored it 97-93, Ventsislav Nikolov had it 99-91 and Giovanni Poggi scored it 97-93 all in favour of Kirstie Bavington.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Another great win for Bavington and every time she fights, she seems to get better and better. This was a great defence of her European title against a fighter who was unbeaten and came to win. Bavington won convincingly on the score cards and in my opinion has moved beyond this level now. I have followed Bavington’s career from the start and it would be great to see her contest for one of the world titles in the next year or so. Bavington was entered in the Bbcolumn Hall of Fame this year after winning the European title and is definitely in the running to be the bbcolumn boxer of the year 2022. Bavington is now setting the standard of female boxing in the Midlands and I look forward to seeing defend her title or challenge for bigger one very soon