A Hornchurch mum who won her professional boxing debut paid tribute to her own mother who died when she was just six.
Sarah Worsfold, 32, who previously trained at Falcon Kickboxing Club in Romford, faced experienced Brazilian boxer Halanna dos Santos at York Hall on Saturday (June 3) and won by a narrow 58 to 56
Sarah, whose mother died aged 41 when she was six, said she had delayed celebrating her mother's birthday until after the fight, since she was unable to do so at training camp.
“It just meant everything to me,” she said. “It was my mum's birthday a couple days before the fight (June 1) and she passed away when I was little.
“I always think about my mum when I fight, but I had to try and hold back my emotions until after,” she said.
Sarah took her kids to celebrate the win at Chalkwell Beach between Leigh-on-Sea and Southend, where her mother’s ashes were scattered.
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After weeks of training and six rounds against a professional fighter who has had 24 bouts, Sarah was finally able to celebrate her mother’s birthday a day later.
Before the fight, Sarah said she had been afraid of letting down her coach, Alec Wilkey, and commentators saying she was not ready for professional boxing.
“I got more nervous on the day,” she said. “I didn’t want to get in the ring and the referee or commentator to say I didn’t belong.”
But Sarah won and praised her trainer Alec, who prepared her for the bout at Poplar Boys and Girls Boxing Club.
“Sarah worked very hard to get ready for tonight and it all paid off with a great win,” Alec said on the day.
Besides training, Sarah and her partner Michael look after three children, her daughter and her niece and nephew who has special needs.
This year her daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy, but family support has allowed Sarah to balance boxing and childcare.
“It has been tricky to look after my kids, that’s why you can’t really have anything going on in your life,” she said.
“I love it when they’re in the gym with me,” she added. “The younger boy who has special needs, I’m just grateful he can have that kind of life as well.”
Sarah reserved special praise for trainer Alec, who she said was understanding whenever she needed time off for her family, time she always made back in the days after.
She said she was proud so many of her friends and family made it to York Hall and was emotional about others who saved up to afford a ticket.
“People are in hard times right now and to pay £50 to come and see me fight really hits me,” she said.
With Sarah’s professional career just beginning, she said she will take whatever comes her way.
Her trainer echoed this sentiment. “This is just the start,” Alec said.
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