Next step for Amy Broadhurst could be a move to boxing’s paid ranks
Inside Track | Joe Carroll
You’d have to have to feel sorry for Amy Broadhurst, whose latest attempt to make the Olympics came to an end in Bangkok, a few weeks ago.
The Dundalk-born boxer had the Games firmly in focus from the day her father laced up her first pair of gloves. And as she moved through the ranks, winning national titles along the way, her dream of fighting against the world’s best amateurs all the time edged closer to reality.
Wearing the Ireland singlet, she won just about everything 2022 had to offer – and more. She claimed World, European and Irish titles, and on moving to a club in Rostrevor, became eligible to box at the Commonwealth Games. More success here, fighting at welterweight.
Had Kellie Harrington not been boxing at the same weight, Broadhurst would have undoubtedly been on the Ireland team for the Seoul Games in 2021. Still, she had age on her side – the Paris Games would be coming up in three years’ time, when, at 27, she’d been in her prime.
Sparring with Ireland’s best-ever female boxer, Katie Taylor, as she prepared for a World title fight in America wasn’t just a feather in Broadhurst’s cap, it gained her a perfect insight into the world of boxing at a professional level. There was a suggestion she might follow the 2012 Olympic champion into the paid ranks, but if there were any offers she resisted them - her focus was on the Paris Games.
Last year wasn’t the best Broadhurst’s career. She lost to Gráinne Walsh in the Irish elite final, and had injury to contend with. She was also beaten at the European Games in an Olympic quota contest.
It disappointed her when she wasn’t included on the Ireland team this year for the first World qualifiers, which gave those involved the chance to make the Olympics.
All was not lost, however. Her father, Tony, being an Englishman by birth, opened a door for Broadhurst. She could switch allegiance and try for a place on the England team for the final qualifier in Bangkok. She was successful with her application, but having won a couple of bouts in the preliminaries, missed out in the semi-finals.
That ended her Olympic dream, possibly forever. She’ll be 31 when the next Games come around. But she intends to keep on boxing, and it must be a near certainty she will join the paid ranks.
Being a close friend of Katie Taylor – who made a surprise visit to Dundalk CBS to make a presentation to Amy after she had won one of her earlier titles – the Dundalk girl won’t lack for advice or support if she takes that decision.