BLACK Country hope Paige Goodyear is unlikely to face a more unorthodox opponent than Erica Juana Gabriela Alvarez who took her the full six rounds on Friday night.
Alvarez hails from Argentina, but, at the WV Active Aldersley, she hurled right hands like a West Indies fast bowler.
There are haymakers, then there are the punches Alvarez attempted to deliver. They began and ended at her knees, her body bent, her eyes staring at the canvas.
Some got through, all the quality came from Goodyear, now unbeaten in six, who took a 60-53 victory on referee Ryan Churchill’s card.
The visitor’s cause was hampered by a warning for dangerous headwork in the third: nothing deliberate – when you unleash punches as if hurling grenades, heads are in danger of colliding.
I actually enjoyed Alvarez’ raw effort. She was aggressive, never stopped pushing forward – despite looking heavy at 10st 11lbs – and ended the contest with a broad grin on her face.
She made Sedgley’s Goodyear, who ended the bout with a bloody nose, work for her win. Paige (10st 10lbs) kept her head, scored in clusters and worker her shorter opponent’s body well in the fourth. She really sunk in the punches downstairs in the fifth.
Still Alvarez came out swinging, really attempting to rally in the last. She played her part in a spirited scrap.
On social media, Goodyear posted: “I’m so happy I managed to keep my cool and switch on to outbox my opponent. She was one tough cookie, but I knew the job I needed to do to win.
“A massive learning fight for me another six rounds under my belt. Most importantly, another convincing win.”
