While the daytime BBC drama Doctors has witnessed some bloody situations surely none can have been as brutal as Lindsay Scragg’s inaugural win in Dudley last month.
A former University graduate and assistant arts director for the aforementioned drama would appear to be the makings of a burgeoning career.
Add into the melting pot an occasional cameo role on screen and smouldering looks then it is hard to comprehend quite why Scragg — in boxing parlance — threw in the towel.
Nevertheless, as a packed Dudley Town Hall witnessed Darren McDermott inch closer to his dream of fighting for the British title, Scragg’s explosive impact on the undercard vindicated her reasoning.
French opponent, Valerie Rangeard, was stopped with blood pouring out of a deep gash on the left hand side of her head.
Less than four minutes into her professional debut and Scragg was jubilant as a rugged opponent — who looked like an extra of scary gothic movie — was comfortably vanquished.
The baying Black Country had no qualms about watching woman trade punches in a show of naked aggression despite reservations in some quarters about women’s boxing. This fight however, proved beyond all recognition that female boxing is an entertainment in its own right and not just some tawdry form of voyeurism.
Scragg was ebullient after her victory yet still spoke with eloquence about her future prospects.
"I don’t see why I can’t be a world champion." said Scragg without any hint of arrogance. "I want to get as many wins as I can behind me and I can bring a world title back to Wolverhampton.
"I have got absolutely no regrets about leaving Doctors as my first fight was much more enjoyable. My boxing means everything to me and I will keep pursuing it and putting my heart and soul into it.
There isn’t much money in boxing but you have to want to do it as you have to put so much work into it," continued Scragg who now earns a living as a postwoman on the streets of Wolverhampton. "Nights like this are absolutely cracking and I want to enjoy plenty more.
"It was nice to get the first win under my belt and hopefully I will get a win at Stafford in April too."
As one would expect from someone who spent years looking at a mock surgery, the sight of blood does not leave Scragg remotely squeamish.
While onlookers winced as Rangeas tottered around in a dazed state, Scragg watched with chilling authority.
Her concrete left jab and swift movement ensures that this super-bantamweight may well be able to back up her bold claims of world domination.
"There was a lot of blood out there but she will be okay," added Scragg. "I knew she had a few losses but I knew she had experience. She has been involved in ten-round and six-round fights so I knew she was a sticker and would keep going.
"I could hear her grunting when I hit her and I thought ‘I am going to be here for the distance.’ That is why I am so pleased with the stoppage. I have never stopped anyone before
"There was a lot of support for me and I loved boxing in front of everyone. During my amateur fights I felt quite worked up but I felt good and thought ‘why shouldn’t I go out there and win?’
"I was a bit annoyed with myself at times, as I didn’t always stick to the gameplan, but I am sure I can do that more in my next fight."
