First England v Argentina and then a shot at European championship glory.
That is the journey that awaits Jordan Barker Porter, who has been made the mandatory challenger for Kirstie Bavington’s European welterweight title, providing she deals with Erica Alvarez at the Rainton Arena on Saturday, June 7.
It’s dream time for the 31-year-old, from Newcastle, who had been facing the potential nightmare of missing the Jobes Boxing event at Houghton, but now has two fights to look forward to.
“My last fight was back in October and the last girl to pull out of this fight at Rainton Arena was my fifth let down,” JBP told punch-lines.
“It’s so de-motivating for an athlete, but you just have to keep chipping away, and then we first get the e-mail from the EBU and a day later an opponent for this show.
“I’m buzzing. It’s been an emotional roller-coaster of a week, I’ve had an opponent, then not had an opponent, people were saying no and then we got the good news that we got someone.”
First up it’s Alvarez, who has previously visited the North-East to box Georgia O’Connor and Hannah Robinson. The 34-year-old has a couple of wins under her belt in Argentina over the last six months and holds an 8-11 record.
Bavington is the reigning champion of Europe after a split decision points win in France last October against French girl Marine Beauchamp.
“I was in the mandatory spot at 135lbs but we informed the EBU that I was moving up a division and we received an amazing e-mail to say I’d been made mandatory for Bavvo,” said Jordan.
“What a fight. Her story is similar to mine in the we don’t seem to be able to get fights and keep getting let down.
“We’re just two girls who want to have a fight. There’s no beef there, it’s nothing personal, but she’s got something I want, and now I’ve been mandatory for the title, so let’s go.”
Barker Porter v Alvarez will be the first time she has taped up her gloves in anger since a draw in Gothenburg with veteran Swede Mikaela Lauren.
Two judges went 58-56 either way with the third scoring it 57-57.
“Going to Sweden was amazing, probably the best treatment I’ve experienced. It was my first time there, it’s an unreal place,” said the boxer who is coached by Jordan Williams in the Twins gym in Trimdon.
“I think I was unfortunate to only get a draw if I’m being honest.
“I’m not a boxer who says ‘I definitely won blah blah blah’ because I take my losses on the chin and I’m very respectful.
“But with that one I definitely thought I won and I think almost the entire room did, but I suppose a draw was better than them giving the decision to her.
“I was meant to have a re-match with her but she pulled out the day after the contracts were signed. I’ve no idea why, but then the EBU has come up so we move onwards and upwards.”
Punch-lines caught up with Barker Porter at the state-of-the-art Everlast Gym in the Metro Centre, where Jobes Boxing was staging a media day ahead of the June 7 show which is headlined by her Twins team-mate Ali Shah. He fights Essex boy Arnie Dawson over eight rounds.
It’s just over a year since Barker Porter had what punch-lines feels was her breakthrough fight – even though she was outpointed by unbeaten Italian Pamela Sawa for the European Silver belt in Bologna.
“While I lost I was proud of the respect I go that night because I showed my heart,” said the 8-3-1 boxer.
“For six rounds she was eating me alive and I thought ’she’s trying to stop me here’.
“I’ve never been stopped, never been dropped or received an eight-count in my entire career, amateur and professional, and thought it’s not going to happen now.
“I dug deep and then started to push her back, and won a couple of rounds, but it was too little, too late.
“I just thought I had to show my desire in that fight and I did.
“I even gained sponsors off the back of a loss, it’s mad.
“It puts me in good stead for the next one. I lost the first European title fight but the second one is different gravy.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Andy Futers
