THE UNEXPECTED
Haringey boxer Amy Andrew will represent New Zealand in the World championships
HOW did boxing for New Zealand come about?
All my family are from New Zealand. I always go over there… They had a trials, they had a few competitions as well.
They had two fights in one day, which I’ve never done before. The idea was whoever won those you also had to go to the nationals as well. They wanted to see an improved performance.
I beat the girl in the trials [at 57kgs]. The selectors thought I won the bout [in the nationals] but it was very close. But they seemed to think that I won and it was an unfair decision. How tough were the bouts there?
Obviously in England the standard’s really high. I think I’ve improved since the ABAS in England but I obviously didn’t win them so the girls in England are better, there’s more people, the set up’s more efficient. But there were a couple of tough of bouts.
So how have you been getting ready for the World championships?
I’m training really hard, sparring a lot, lots of hill sprints and track work. Fitness is my thing so I’m trying to get as fit as possible. [There’s] been some really good sparring with the New Zealand team, they’re a really nice team and there are some really good girls on the team. I feel like I’ve learned a lot from them too.
Who do you think there is to look out for in your weight division at the Worlds?
I know a few people because I’m aware of who else is in my weight. But it’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. I’ve never boxed at this level before. I’m trying not to think of anyone else, I’m concentrating on the things that I’m good at and enjoying the experience and learning from the experience. It’s quite overwhelming so I think if I concentrate on the things that I’m good at and the things that I’ve been working on, that works for me. People seem to struggle with my style so that’s good. I never expected this to happen. I started off ‘white collar’ boxing and just doing it for fun. I really, really love it and I worked really hard at it but I just never really saw this as something that would happen because I’m a bit older and it was a hobby. It’s really exciting beyond whatever I could have imagined. It’s a massive thing for me.