Kickboxing Katie bows out as a champ
A Black Country kickboxer has bowed out of the sport in style after claiming her third world title.
Katie Healy, a member of Trojan Martial Arts Academy in Brownhills, battled through seven two-minute rounds to unanimously defeat Ireland’s Alice Power at the Banks’s Stadium on Saturday.
Having previously claimed titles in the 57kg weight division, the 20-year-old dropped down to 55kg to take on Power for the WRSA title.
But while Healy, from Bilston, feels she has now found her ideal fighting weight, she has decided to leave the sport to concentrate on her career.
“Claiming a third world title, and beating Alice Power, means I can bow out of the sport having achieved everything I set out to achieve,” the Aston University student said. “It was a really tough fight. Alice wanted it just as much as I did. And it’s the first time I’ve been pushed seven rounds.
“But I won on a unanimous decision. The crowd went ballistic, the atmosphere was incredible and that made it a really special night.
“It was the first all-female fighting card at the Banks’s Stadium.
“I got to walk out with all my team-mates from Trojan. And I had my family there cheering me on and giving me incredible support.
“It was the perfect end and means I can bow out exactly where I want to.
“I’m 20 years old and now the time has come to concentrate on my career. I’m just about to start a work placement and I want to put all my focus into that.”
Healy began her competitive kickboxing career when she was just 14 years old.
And after shining at a new weight, she admits it’s even harder to walk away. “55kg is lowest weight I have ever fought at,” Healy continued.
“I actually weighed in at 54kg after what was a really tough 12-week training camp.
“My trainer and nutritionist have been absolutely fantastic and I now feel that is my perfect fighting weight.”
Healy has already been asked multiple times if she will ever return to the sport.
“It’s a possibility,” she added. “But the end was so perfect it would be nice to leave it there.
“Maybe one day I will return or there is a part of me that would like to explore boxing.
“We’ll see – for now I’m just enjoying the fact I’ve won three world titles.”
