Beccy Ferguson

Vicky Wilkinson is determined to show her championship credentials by claiming the vacant Midlands super featherweight title against a familiar foe.

Area supremacy will be hers if she prevails as part of BCB Promotions’ next offering at the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, on the Sunday night of November 13.

She’s been paired with Beccy Ferguson, who is Shrewsbury-born but lives in Stoke, with the two clashing twice before, in four-round action.

Wilkinson, from Wombourne, made her pro debut against Ferguson last year, and outpointed her for a second time in March, taking on Bojana Libiszewska in-between.

Ferguson pinched a round, the first time around, but Wilkinson still overcame her through a 40-37 verdict, whitewashing her 40-36 in the return, the same result that beat Libiszewska.

That marked the end of Wilkinson’s four-round apprenticeship, stepping up to six rounds, in June, for a battle where someone’s ‘0’ had to go.

It also saw her first trip away from home, tackling the also-undefeated Lianne Bush and springing a shock against the home fighter, through a 58-57 scoreline.

A shot at the Commonwealth crown came Wilkinson’s way, last time out in August, and she remained unbeaten, at the final bell, having completed 10 rounds for the first time.

She travelled to Torquay to take on Kristine Shergold for the vacant belt and went the full 10 rounds, with some vastly different opinions on the decision, at the final bell.

Out of the three judges, Chas Coakley scored it a wide 98-92, in favour of Wilkinson, while fellow officials Lee Every and Sean McAvoy both ruled it a 95-95 stalemate.

The final result of a majority decision draw left Wilkinson still unbeaten, as a professional, but without the prestige that she believes is rightly deserved.

Her ring return was originally supposed to be a sequel with Shergold, who was forced to pull out of proceedings after contracting Covid.

Wilkinson’s sights remain set on adding pro honours to the two national titles she won as an amateur, representing Darlaston Boxing Club where she now coaches.

The former kickboxer clocked up 16 victories from 22 bouts and two England Development Championships accolades, in the under-10 bouts and over-10 sections respectively.

She said: “I was disappointed to not be fighting for the Commonwealth title, but to get the opportunity to fight for the first female Midlands title is an honour.

“I have to thank the British Boxing Board of Control. This is big for female fighting in the Midlands, as we are now getting the same chances as the men.

“I’m looking forward to being back in the ring. I know Beccy (Ferguson) is a strong opponent and that I’m going to have to work hard, for the win, but I’m ready to go.

“I felt like I was a bit robbed last time (for the Commonwealth title). I thought I was well up (on points) and that I’d dropped, at the most, four rounds. I left the ring gutted that night.

“The result baffled me, it just didn’t make sense. I boxed differently, on the back-foot, but Kristine (Shergold) didn’t catch me. I barely had a mark on me and she’s such a strong lady.

“I would like to know how two judges could have it a draw (95-95), when the other official had it way off, in my advantage, by six rounds all told (98-92).

“I would never show any disrespect to the judges or the crowd, but I have to confess that I was throwing my gloves around, back in the changing rooms. I was frustrated.

“It would have been nice to go straight back in, against her, for the Commonwealth title and I hope that she’s feeling better now. Of course, I’m still hoping for a rematch.

“I think that I’ve proved myself as a title-worthy fighter, but it’s not good enough until I become a champion. That’s how I want to be recognised.

“I’m 40 next year (in May) and it’s always been my goal to stop then, carry on coaching the amateur kids and give something back to boxing. They look up to me.”

Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.

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