Suzanne packs a punch with maiden victory
THE town's first ever female boxer was a real knockout in her maiden bout at the weekend.
By pulling on the gloves for the Hawick club, Suzanne Harrow opened her very own chapter in local boxing history, and also made it a winning show at the Madison Club in Methil.
Facing home town girl Lindsay Radke, Suzanne turned on the style in her three-round match to emerge a convincing winner on points. Not bad going for someone who only got involved in boxing to keep fit.
Talking of her introduction to the noble art, Suzanne told the Hawick News: "I went along to boxing training at Burnfoot school for fitness reasons. I had watched boxing but had no thoughts about being a boxer myself.
"However, I enjoyed the training and was coached really well by Mark Huggan, 'Den' Bell and Billy Finn.
"The next thing I knew I had applied for my medical to become a boxer, then passed it, and was ready for my first fight."
Guided along the way with help from others behind the scenes including John Sharkey and Eddie Brogan, Suzanne is now reaping the rewards of all her hard work at training. And her night of glory was a memorable occasion for her to say the least.
Reflecting on the build-up to, and triumph in, Fife, she said: "The week before the fight I was so nervous and excited, and I lost half-a-stone in weight. However, the night I boxed I was even more nervous.
"My mum and dad were in the crowd, and I think my dad was really worried for me. My boyfriend Richard Bain was also there. But he only got a ticket at the last minute as he didn't really want to watch me box in case I got hurt.
"There was well over 600 people in the hall, and this made me even more excited. I'd been told I might get a few boos from the crowd as I was boxing the local girl. But it was the opposite, the fans were just brilliant and cheered both of us into the ring. And it was the same after the fight.
"I can't remember much about things, it's all just a blur. The bout was three one-and-a-half minute rounds, which is a long time in the ring. I just went out and tried my best and was really chuffed to get the win."
Suzanne continued: "In horse racing I've ridden winners at the Moor and this gave me a thrill. But it was nothing like the amazing feeling I got from boxing. It was just unbelievable.
"I'd also like to think that with me starting to box that it might encourage other girls into the sport."
And with Suzanne blazing a trail as Hawick's first lady of boxing, who's to say her success won't inspire more females to climb between the ropes for the grey auld toon.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hawick
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
