Women in Sport: World and European Champion boxer Amy Broadhurst
Hailing from Dundalk, Co. Louth, Amy Broadhurst is one of Ireland’s most exciting amateur boxers. After a glittering junior career, Amy had an incredible 2022, boxing in the 63kg weight class and winning gold medals at European, Commonwealth and World Championships, earning her Irish Times and HerSport Sportswoman of the Year awards for and for who was nominated for RTÉ’s Sportsman of the Year Award.
Now Amy has upped her weight to 66kg to focus on qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Amy named her dog “Canelo” after boxing legend Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and has since adopted the nickname “Baby Canelo” in homage to the Mexican boxer. Amy also attended Ireland’s Fittest Family in 2016 alongside her father and two of her brothers.
Surname: Amy Broadhurst
Profession: boxing
Earliest sporting memory?
My first fight in my boxing club at the age of seven, I warmed up with my mouthguard for two hours!
How did you get into your sport?
My brothers all boxed. Paul, Tony and Stephen – and my dad trained them so it was only a matter of time before I was the next one to join.
What message would you like to give to young women and girls who are interested in a career in sports?
Never give up on your dream and work hard and never lose faith no matter what obstacle is in front of you.
Proudest moment yet?
Very tough but I would say to be world champion in 2022.
The athlete I admire the most is…
Katie Taylor because she is an amazing role model for everyone to look up to, she is hardworking, hard working and a really nice person.
Favorite sporting memory?
My best sporting moment besides last year’s World Championship would be the 2022 European Championship, where I was named Boxer of the Tournament, which is something I’ve always wanted to achieve!
Do you think women in sports are still stigmatized?
Possibly among the older generation, but I think women in sport have gotten a lot more recognition in recent years!
The biggest stigma/prejudice there is in women’s sport…
Whether we’re not good enough, or that we’re not as good as the men, which is definitely not true.
If I wasn’t an athlete, I would be…
As a school teacher, I have always had a keen interest in English.
My favorite pre-competition game dish is…
Pesto pasta and chicken.
My pre-competition playlist includes…
My playlist has a bit of Luke Combs, Rocky and Spanish music – my playlist is crazy!
My daily routine is…
I wake up, eat and drink a coffee. I go and work out, come home and relax, and then around 3:30pm I work out again, eat my dinner and watch a bit island of love.
My greatest sporting goal is…
To become Olympic champion and as a professional world champion in several weights.
Sports Brands I Love (Irish or otherwise)…
I really like Nike, Gym+Coffee, Under Armor and Lululemon.
Biggest effort to celebrate a win…
I would always grab a chipper or a pizza after I won.
How do you feel about your mental health?
I speak to a psychologist because sometimes I struggle a little with anxiety. I’ve also started journaling and reading a lot more!
My three desert island beauty products are:
My No.5 foundation, Chanel lip gloss and some bronzer.
I need 8 hours of sleep a night because…
If I don’t get enough sleep, I can’t train 100% and I usually end up very grumpy.
For me, trust is…
It’s about believing that you’re good enough to achieve anything – you can be anyone you want to be without shame.
How do you get over poor performance?
I try to take the positive out of it. One thing I always tell myself and realize is that every time I lose I come back better!
Finally, why is sport such an integral part of the community, at club, local, national and personal levels?
For me it keeps kids out of trouble, it puts people on the right path who have gone down the wrong path. When a club or athlete achieves something in any of these categories, it gives everyone a boost and inspires the younger generation.
Images provided by Navy Blue Sports.