Beyond The Ropes: Amelia Kennedy

Beyond The Ropes: Amelia Kennedy

Cambridgeshire-born Amelia Kennedy spent twelve years playing tennis, including a period of time representing her county. It was during those brutal COVID-19 times that Kennedy found boxing. Now, the 25-year-old has ambitions of winning a National title and representing her country.

Kennedy found sport at an early age.

“I was always very involved in sports,” Kennedy told me. “My parents always encouraged me to be active. I competed in tennis from the age of 4 until I was 16, representing Cambridgeshire. My life revolved around tennis, missing school and spending what felt like every weekend on the road travelling to tournaments and camps. Because of this, I’ve grown up with discipline, a competitive nature, and an appreciation for the lifestyle that comes with competing in an amateur sport.”

The entry into boxing often differs. Some are by accident, and many are by design. But for Kennedy, it was health-related issues that drew her into the world of boxing.

“I started in boxing after overcoming some serious health issues during the pandemic, which resulted in me wanting to prioritise my health again and find that discipline and sense of achievement that I loved and that sport brought me,” Kennedy says of her initial introduction to boxing. “I saw an ad for a local boxing gym on Facebook, something I’d always wanted to try, and I went down there the next day. I immediately got the bug and I was in there training every day with the hopes of getting carded and joining the amateur team, which I soon did.”

It is a sport that can take so much at times. But for the Cambridgeshire fighter, there are many rewards.

“What draws me to boxing is the challenge of pushing past mental barriers every day. Learning to silence the voice that tells me to stop, hitting new personal bests in training, and having my hand raised in the ring. Those are the moments that make it all worth it. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I’d get this far, and that progress keeps me motivated.

“Boxing gives me confidence, and it gives me focus, I couldn’t imagine what I’d even be doing if I wasn’t doing this. It’s also given me the most amazing circle of friends, who I’d consider my second family. Boxing or not boxing related we’ve all got each other’s backs and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.”

Amelia Kennedy is now twenty-four fights into her boxing life. But she vividly recalls that very first ring walk.

“My first fight was the Winter Box Cup in 2022,” Kennedy told me. “I remember thinking, what on earth have I signed myself up for here whilst pacing up and down the warm-up room. I was a bag of nerves. The fight itself was a complete blur, but the pure joy once my hand was raised afterwards I’ll never forget. Everything was worth it in that moment.”

I often ask fighters who inspire them. The names of Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, and Natasha Jonas usually follow that question. But for Kennedy, the answer is a little closer to home.

“I find the most inspiration in the people around me,” Kennedy says. “Seeing my teammates push themselves every day in the gym, putting in the work, and then delivering in their performances motivates me to do the same.”

Medals at multiple Box Cups and other such plaudits litter her already impressive resume. Already, there are many moments that stand out.

“A major highlight so far has been scoring two stoppages in two days at Haringey to win. What also stands out is how much of the world I’ve been able to see through boxing, competing in Sweden, Denmark, and Portugal, with even more trips lined up for the future.”

In the short term, Amelia Kennedy is chasing more glitter to her record as well as gaining further experience.

“This season, I want to bring back as many Box Cup gold medals as possible. I also want to increase my international experience and box girls who I wouldn’t typically encounter in the UK to gain experience with a wider variety of styles.”

The immediate future clearly lies in the amateur ranks, but there are thoughts of entering the world of professional boxing at some point in the future.

“Turning professional is something I’ve thought about,” Kennedy told me. “But right now, my focus is fully on the amateur scene and seeing how far I can go. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned, and at this stage, I’m enjoying everything that comes with it.

“My first major goal is to win a National title. That’s what I saw others working toward when I started, and it’s something I’m determined to achieve. Beyond that, I aspire to represent my country and wear its vest on the international stage.”