Meet the University of Portsmouth student leading the fight for female boxers

Lucy Ward, 22, is combining her studies in sports and exercise psychology with training for the England Boxing National Development Championships coming up in April. After taking up boxing at Titchfield ABC gym at the age of 18, Lucy won gold medal at the 2018 British University and Colleges Sport Novice boxing competition.

Lucy, who lost her first two bouts, said: ‘I can’t begin to describe the relief and how great it felt to have a gold medal around my neck. To turn my previous losses around was such a great feeling.

‘To get to the final made every second of hard work and all the blood, sweat and tears worth it. There’s no feeling better than being in that ring.’

To compete at national level, Lucy has overcome black eyes, split lips and an injury to her knee.

Lucy said: ‘I’m not a naturally aggressive person and this held me back in my first few fights. My worst injury is probably my latest – where I’ve damaged the muscles around my shoulder. I also cracked a tooth which had to be removed.’

While Lucy may have been left with her fair share of physical scars she credits boxing with improving her mental wellbeing.

‘Before boxing I used to suffer with anxiety and the sport has really helped me to address this. Boxing provides me with a focus and the physical training releases natural endorphins – I just feel better in myself. I’ve tried many sports and none provide the mental health benefits of boxing’ she said.

SEE ALSO: University of Portsmouth launches centre to become global leader on sustainable marine ecosystem management

In between her fights Lucy set up the university boxing club’s first female branch where she provides specialist coaching. She has now been elected president of the whole club.

Lucy said: ‘There’s still a prejudice against women and I often hear comments that I shouldn’t be fighting. However, in my five years in the sport I’ve seen a big increase in female participation in both training and fights. My advice to any young girl interested in boxing is to give it a go.’

Lucy’s next bout will be on March 6 at the University Student Union with 400 people expected to attend. While Lucy wants to continue her studies next year by doing a Masters degree she has not given up on her boxing dream.

‘If I reach the required standard then I would obviously like to either turn professional or to compete in an Olympic Games. For now, I’d just like to see where boxing as an amateur can take me. I would also like to become a sports psychologist, specialising in the field of boxing,’ she said.