Crossword Genius

In spring, a redhead could be fighting (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparring

'be fighting' is the definition.
(to spar is to box)

'in spring a redhead' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'redhead' becomes 'r' (the head/first letter of 'red').
'a'+'r'='ar'
'spring' placed around 'ar' is 'SPARRING'.

'could' is the link.

(Other definitions for sparring that I've seen before include "practising for the fight" , "Boxing" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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