Tysie Gallagher made history by becoming the first-ever women’s British Super Bantamweight Champion as she unanimously out-pointed and outclassed Stevi Levy to be tipped as a next world beater.
The Luton fighter was already the Commonwealth queen and in a bitter war of words leading up to the London Calling clash at the world famous York Hall (watch below), she angered her King’s Lynn rival by claiming she was “levels above“, but proved just that.
Save for a scrappy first three rounds and a seventh where Levy bloodied Gallagher’s nose, the Lutonian looked every bit the more accomplished boxer, picking off her opponent and schooling her in a particularly dominant and technically superior display.
Though the result went to the scorecards, there was only one clear winner as there were two 99-91 scores from the judges and one at a closer 96-94, though it was never that.
And after getting the Lonsdale strap wrapped around her waist Gallagher said: “This is unbelievable. I’m speechless. It feels surreal to even be here.”
The 25-year-old waved off the only real trouble she had in the seventh when a Levy right hand drew some claret.
She said: “My nose bleeds every single sparring session since the age of 11. That was nothing.”
And on the rows that ignited in the build-up, Gallagher said she still had respect for Levy, adding: “That build-up, that can happen and I’m cool. I was cool, calm and collected and everyone has seen it all fight week. It didn’t faze me at all because I was just focused on tonight.
“That didn’t really make a difference, but I enjoy there being a bit of animosity. It spiced it up a little bit and it brought so many views.
“How many people were watching and that’s because of a few words exchanged online, so it was a win-win.
“Absolute credit to Stevie Levy, it takes two to tango, but not one word was a lie that I said. I said I’m levels above and I showed my level at boxing. I’m just excited to see where it goes from here.”
That is likely to be a path towards a world title fight, and a chance to avenge her controversial defeat in her only previous attempt at the WBO crown, when she travelled to France and the back yard of the then unbeaten Segolene Lefebvre in November and lost on a majority decision.
Lefebvre then lost her title last month to Ellie Scotney in Manchester, in her first fight outside of her homeland. Whether it’s Scotney or someone else, Gallagher now has her sights set on more history on the world stage.
And GBM Sports boxing promoter Izzy Asif believes Gallagher could get her shot, saying: “Tysie should be a world champion and everyone in boxing knows that. The plan is, she’s got the British title and we push her on. I reckon within two, three or four fights, we could have the world title. Maybe take it to Luton.”
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