Hayley Valentine is set to keep the incredible momentum going she’s built for herself since turning to the professional ranks in 2021.
Boasting a (3-0) record with one stoppage victory, Valentine is eager to push on and do herself, her family, and her team proud. This Saturday at the Northants Country Cricket Club, at Battle Arena Northampton, Valentina will square off with Indy Briar, who makes her professional debut.
Ahead of fight night, Valentine promises to still be herself but will have added “little adjustments” since her most recent performance. We enjoyed having a few words with Hayley Valentine before Saturday night. Hear what she had to say below.
Interview With Hayley Valentine
It’s fight week, and you’re all set for your first outing of 2023. It’s been five months since we last saw you. How has life been inside and outside the cage since then?
Since my last fight, I got to enjoy my Christmas and my birthday with family and friends. I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas present for a win during Christmas time, and it was a great way to finish 2022. Been floating in training ticking over, and when the new year came, I was in the gym ready for 2023 opportunities.
You kept your undefeated record intact in your most recent outing at Battle Arena Northampton’s last show with a unanimous decision win over Lisa Lingvall. In reflection, and having had time to digest that performance, what is your honest assessment of the performance?
Since that last fight that was the beginning of my hardest fights to come, coming away from a game opponent and showing that I can match that has put my level up even more. We looked back at each round and examined the detail I had done and what she had done, but honestly, I’m glad I went through that fight.
Despite getting the result, was there anything you weren’t pleased with that you took back to the drawing board to try to improve and implement ahead of your next one?
There are always areas to work on, but you can’t always assume the fights will always be the same as the last one, as it depends on my next opponent. We looked at little details, but I’m still being me with little adjustments.
Hayley Valentine Talks Motivation
Many individuals are motivated by different things. Putting your body through gruelling camp after camp, dieting, and everything that comes with fighting. What motivates Hayley Valentine to get up and get through the grind every day?
My motivation for the fighting is my family and my team. My family and I have been through so much in our life that we have endured the events that have occurred in our way. Honestly, for what we have been through, all of my family members are fighters because we have fought through and pulled through the hard times. I couldn’t love them anymore, so fighting shows that the Valentine family is being put out there worldwide. We are a family on a mission to prove we can endure what’s to come! Same for my team. They help me day in and day out, and they all mean so much to me, striving to make each other proud.
With five months out, that’s time to add new tools and skills to your arsenal. What new tricks can the Battle Arena faithful expect to see from you come Saturday night?
For Saturday, I’m not saying that there’s nothing new, but more refined. I’ve just been more prepared for what’s to come and modifying what I’ve done in my camp.
You’ll meet the debuting Indy Briar on fight night. She finished her amateur career with three straight wins. Did you go back and watch those, and if so, what do you think?
I had a feeling me and Indy would meet eventually; we both met a couple of years ago when I was prepping for my professional debut. So we both have an idea of what we are like; of course, I’ve watched her fights, and she has of mine.
The Fight
Do you anticipate Indy rings anything to the table that you haven’t seen before?
I know she’s a striker and a grappler, so both of them areas I’m comfortable with are no surprise to me. I know it’ll be a good match of a fight and be a hell of a kickoff, but I’m ready for whatever she may bring.
Finally, fans love an official prediction. What is Hayley’s official prediction for Saturday night? How does it unfold?
For Saturday night, we may see it go the distance as we both are ready for what each of us will bring. I know it will be a hell of a fight for both of us, and we will be the fight of the night.
Featured image credits to Fightpals
