Emotional comeback victory for Goodyear

Goodyear (left) dominates Libiszewska. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

AFTER a traumatic, tragic two years away from the ring, Paige Goodyear made a triumphant and emotional return last night (Friday).

On BCB’s headliner at Wolverhampton’s Hangar, Goodyear – roared on by a noisy army of supporters – put the bad times behind her to dominate Poland’s experienced Bojana Libiszewska.

After six, one-sided rounds referee Ryan Churchill scored a 60-54 shutout for the Sedgley favourite.

And victory re-ignites a career that promised so much before being sidelined by injury and personal loss.

The Sedgley welterweight, now unbeaten in five, underwent surgery after suffering a hand injury. She was then devastated by the death of her father.

And tributes to her dad were a prominent part of last night’s return – written on t-shirts, displayed on banners, emblazoned on the venue’s big screen.

Before the first bell sounded, Paige posted on facebook: “Dad, I hope you are watching over me in there tonight and hope to do you proud. This is all for you.”

She shared the hashtag “****youcancer”.

At the end of the action, 24-year-old Goodyear, choking back tears, took the mic to thanks the fans.

In truth, the action inside the ring didn’t match the raw emotion outside it. At times it was scrappy, even messy.

Goodyear’s power has earned her the nickname “Hammer”, but this was a comfortable win built on the jab.

And prominent Black Country fight figures Richie Ghent and Steve O’Rouke, in Goodyear’s corner, gave the fighter sound advice: build everything behind left leads before unleashing the heavy stuff.

As a result, you could almost see the ring-rust gathered during a long lay-off fall from Goodyear’s shoulders with each round. By the fifth and sixth, she was almost back to her old marauding self.

Libiszewksa has faced top opposition in an 11 year,  77 bout career that has seen her box all over Europe.

But she began as a super-feather, is 35 and now on a 31 bout losing streak. She performed like a fighter chasing shadows. From the fourth, Libiszewska (10st 13lbs) appeared to be feeling the pace.

Goodyear (10st 13lbs) kept her at bay with piston jabs in the first and began to go through the gears in the third.

The visitor was nailed with a crisp jab, right hand in the fourth and by the following round Paige was finding the target with left hooks. She closed the show in style, letting both hands go as Libiszewksa attempted to spoil, clutch and clinch her way to the final bell.

It wasn’t vintage Goodyear. It wasn’t expected to be, it didn’t have to be.

The most important thing is she’s back on track.