60-SECOND INTERVIEW
David Wainwright talks to a woman with a serious appetite
‘I HAD A PHOTO TAKEN WITH CHRIS EUBANK SNR AND GOT HIM TO SIGN MY SHORTS. I WAS LIKE, ‘WOW!’’ Nina Bradley
When and why you started boxing:
In 2009, I took part in a whitecollar boxing match, which I won. I started boxing in the amateurs after that.
Favourite all-time fighter:
[Retired former WBC female super-middleweight champion and daughter of Muhammad Ali] Laila Ali.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Anthony Joshua against Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in April 2017. It was so exciting.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the [vacant] Commonwealth female superlightweight title against Tanzania’s Feriche Mashauri [via unanimous 10-round decision] at Leicester City FC’S King Power Stadium in September.
Toughest opponent:
I’d have to say Mashauri.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best attribute is that I apply constant pressure on my opponent in the ring. My worst is my footwork.
Training tip:
Do explosive interval training instead of long drawn-out training.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
A tandoori mixed grill with pilau rice, lamb saag and a naan bread from the Everest Inn in Newark. I don’t eat all of it, though!
Best friends in boxing:
“The Gaffer” [manager and trainer, Carl Greaves].
Other sportsman you would like to be:
[Retired England women’s football team record goalscorer] Kelly Smith.
Last film/tv show you saw:
[Horror TV series] The Purge.
‘EUBANK SNR CAME AND SPOKE TO ME. HE EVEN WATCHED ME FIGHT’
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Angelina Jolie.
Have you ever been starstruck:
When I met Chris Eubank Snr and Chris Eubank Jnr at the Haringey Box Cup, where I won a silver medal. They were there watching Harlem Eubank. Senior came up and spoke to me. He even watched me fight. I had a photo taken with him and got him to sign my shorts. I was like, ‘Wow!’
Last time you cried:
When I beat Mashauri to win the Commonwealth title earlier this year.
Best advice received:
‘Hit and don’t get hit.’ But, for some reason, I like to get hit and then hit back!
Worst rumour about yourself:
I don’t think I’ve heard one.
Something not many people know about you:
When I was 16 years old, I had trials for the England women’s football team.