Katie Healy has more world titles in mind after returning to home turf for a six-round affair.
She a part of the line-up when BCB Promotions return to the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, for fight night on Friday (March 10).
The 24-year-old, from Bilston, has won three world kickboxing accolades and the WBF super bantamweight crown, latterly after just four pro boxing contests.
Healy switched sports in 2021 and outpointed Klaudia Ferenczi, Karina Szmalenberg, Martina Horgasz and Gabriella Mezei, before landing a world title shot.
She travelled to South Africa and took on Matshidiso Mokebisi for the vacant honours, which saw her complete the distance and claim the belt.
The three judges scored the bout all in Healy’s favour, by verdicts of 100-90 (landslide) and 97-93 twice, as she extended her unbeaten record.
Healy was supposed to be heading back for another world title tussle, at the end of March, but instead features in a homecoming clash.
She is calling for a challenge against Ebanie Bridges, the IBF bantamweight champion from Australia who regularly boxes in England.
Healy has been working hard at the Trojan Martial Arts Academy in Brownhills, Walsall, where Gavin Burrows is her coach.
She said: “I’ve had a good training camp and I can’t wait to get back into the ring. It will be good to get in there and show what I can do again.
“Obviously, I was going to South Africa to fight, as part of a WBF convention, in Cape Town. It was all going to plan, but my opponent got injured.
“They have been wanting to get me back over there since I won the title, which I was more than willing to do, and it might happen down the line.
“It was an amazing feeling, for this girl from Bilston to become a world champion, and I was pleased with my performance. I dominated, as the scores will tell you.
“I never even tried to knock her out. I just kept her range and picked her off, using my height and reach advantage. Those were always the tactics.
“Before that, I was going to be on this show at the Hangar, so it must have been meant to me. Everything happens for a reason and my team have acted quickly.
“I’d love the Ebanie Bridges fight, that’s what I aspire to. There are steps to take before that, even though we are both world champions. The WBF isn’t really recognised in Britain.
“My world ratings are improving, though, and there are a pool of names out there that, as opponents, could help me to work my way up.
“There’s Ellie Scotney (European super bantamweight champion), Shannon Courtenay (former WBA bantamweight title holder) and Nina Hughes (world title challenger).
“Winning a world title is a massive achievement, as I know myself, but it’s only the start of the chapter for me. I’ve got lots of years ahead of me, but I’m still young and hungry.”
Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com. The show will be broadcast live on Fightzone and the BBC. Click here to find out more
