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Marina Sakharov

Lucy Wildheart & Marina Sakharov weigh-in ahead of tomorrow

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Lucy Wildheart & Marina Sakharov weigh-in ahead of tomorrow | Boxen247.com

Lucy Wildheart & Marina Sakharov weigh-in ahead of tomorrow | Boxen247.com

With female boxing at an all-time high in the U.K, world-ranked British based Swedish sensation Lucy Wildheart aims to become a firm household favourite.

The 29 year old Brentwood domiciled featherweight ace, managed by Richard Maynard at Strike Sports Management, boasts the same key values as Swedish super-brands: the reliability of IKEA, the durability of Volvo and the A-lister star potential of ABBA.

The fair-faced ‘Dragon Queen’ has attracted full page spreads in both The Times and Daily Star this week ahead of her showdown with France’s experienced Marina Sakharov tomorrow night at the York Hall, Bethnal Green.

And early indicators suggest that the 5ft 5 ½in fiery redhead has the hardware to match the hype.

‘Female boxers are finally getting opportunities, securing sponsors, able to make a future for ourselves. I expect our side of the sport to grew even more over the next few years and I look forward to being a big part of that,’ states lightening Lucy who has triumphed in all but one of her 11 fights since storming the profession in May 2017.

The laser-focused Swede has her sights firmly focussed on a mega-money 2023 showdown against 126lb division leader and leading female pound-for-pound contender Amanda Serrano, a New York-docked Puerto Rican who has conceded just twice in 46 public airings.

Well-hard Wildheart has herself succumbed just once, on points over 10 rounds in a June 2019 IBO lightweight challenge to French sensation Estelle Mossely in Cherbourg. It was just the Swedish stylist’s sixth pro start, nine pounds above her optimal weight and against the 2016 Olympic champion. Yet the Scandinavian hotly contests the unanimous decision that went against her.

‘I believe those scores were wrong and I won the fight,’ she insists.

‘I pushed Mossely onto the back foot and threw more punches. Despite the verdict, I left feeling a winner. Looking back, travelling to France was not the best option.

‘Watching the fight back now, it’s as if we were both in slow motion. I’ve improved so much since. Today I’m much faster and read a fight far better.’

After traversing Europe and Africa to compile hard earned, lightly rewarded wins in the formative years of her career, the Växjö native is happily nestled in Essex with her partner and two dogs.

‘Today, I feel British. I wear both flags,’ claims the one-time IBO Inter-Continental lightweight boss.

‘Britain has done a lot for me and I’m here to stay. The houses here are very small. In Sweden we’re used to very big gardens but Brits are far more sociable and I’ve become a much better person since coming here.’

Coached by Samm Mullins at the upwardly mobile Churchill’s boxing facility in Waterloo, south London, with Richard Merchant overseeing strength and conditioning duties in Chelmsford and respected fight face Richard Maynard pulling the managerial strings, the support system is fully in place for the Wild One to launch her bid for global supremacy, now down at her optimal fighting weight.

‘It takes me three hours a day travelling to get to the boxing gym and another hour to get to my S & C training,’ states Wildheart.

’There’s a really positive atmosphere at Samm’s gym, plenty of high-level female sparring where we can really ‘have it’. Sam explains things in a way I can understand. We focus mainly on technical skills and the basics. He also manages me very well, feels my feelings. He’s really made me believe in myself.

‘I hope Richard (Maynard) and me work together for the rest of my career. Together, we’ll win world titles, secure sponsorships, and really get our names out there.’

One name that Team Wildheart is desperate to be associated with is Serrano, the current WBC, WBO and IBO queen and a gateway to serious riches.

‘Amanda is a top, top fighter and a great person and I’d love to share a ring with her. I don’t shout or bully. I’m very professional but if calling Amanda out helps, that’s what I’ll do,’ concedes Lucy.

‘Yes, she has experience but I’ve been in the game a long time too. I’ve already proved competitive with plenty of good people, most notably Mossely who won the Olympic lightweight gold ahead of Katie Taylor.

‘If the opportunity arises, I will definitely take it and be confident I beat Amanda. I’ve more skill and I’m faster. To force the Serrano fight, firstly, I must win all the fights that are coming my way.’

First step comes at The York Hall tomorrow night (Friday 25th November) on the Wasserman Boxing promoted card when the Swede looks to mash industrial tough French veteran Marina Sakharov in a scheduled eight-rounder.

At the official weigh-in today held at Repton ABC, Wildheart scaled in at 125.06lb, while Sakharov came in at 125.03lb.

Debuting at the iconic East End boxing institution, and with the show covered by Channel Five cameras, it presents a gilt-edged opportunity for the ‘Dragon Queen’ to crowbar her name into Serrano’s conscious.

‘Can’t wait,’ enthuses Wildheart.

‘The British people love to go out to boxing, back their fighters and make serious sound. I love fighting here. I intend to show my focus, how much I really want this.’

‘In my last fight, the opponent didn’t come with much. It was more a chess game so I really hope that Marina brings her best game, comes with pressure. The better she is, the better I’ll need to answer.  That way, we can give the fans a fight that leaves them cheering and screaming. I then hope I can do everything just a little bit better than her and win a great fight!

‘I hope to showcase that I’ve a great skill base, good technique. I’ve also got great power and can seriously hurt opponents when I get my body shots in. A stoppage will get me ranked higher, faster. She’s only been stopped once but if I hurt her, I’ll go mental. Just watch me.’

For further information on Lucy Wildheart please contact Strike Sports Management: info@strikesportsmgt.com

Lucy Wildheart & Marina Sakharov weigh-in ahead of tomorrow | Boxen247.com Lucy Wildheart & Marina Sakharov weigh-in ahead of tomorrow | Boxen247.com

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Swedish storm Lucy Wildheart: “Wild by name, wild by nature!”

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Swedish storm Lucy Wildheart: "Wild by name, wild by nature!" | Boxen247.com

Swedish storm Lucy Wildheart: "Wild by name, wild by nature!" | Boxen247.com

Dedicated and determined in equal measure, Lucy Wildheart, the aesthetic and powerful 5ft 5 ½in Scandinavian storm claims she has both the skill set and mindset to conquer the 126lb division.

First she fights this Friday night at London’s York Hall, Bethnal Green, when she takes on France’s experienced Marina Sakharov on the Wasserman Boxing show headlined by Harlem Eubank v Tom Farrell, live on Channel 5.

‘Wild by name, wild by nature,’ quips the girl dubbed ‘Dragon Queen’ by manager Richard Maynard.

‘My nickname represents the strength of Sweden’s medieval Vikings. As a kid, I was ‘all or nothing’. I had a mental temper but could also be really kind. I was, and still am, super competitive and always spoke out if something appeared unfair. I’d not hurt anyone but I always said my thoughts, never backed down. I had to have the last say and would scream and shout. It caused me problems at school.’

Wildheart’s current radiance disguises a difficult childhood in Växjö, central Sweden, which helped fashion her fighting psyche.

‘My parents separated when I was pretty young and we didn’t have much money. The nearest town had around 3,500 people and I was surrounded by farms and forest. I was always outside, falling off trees. I didn’t have a mobile phone until I was much, much older. My grandparents, who played a big part in my upbringing, had horses and cows and I was raised around nature and hunting.’

Her combative urges were initially satisfied through Shotokan karate.

‘At aged nine, mum took me to karate school where the trainer, still my hero today, was really hard on me. Shotokan gave me something to focus on. It was very traditional. We bowed, spoke Japanese and we focussed mostly on katas and technique. Coach taught me life skills and respect.

‘I became very good, very quickly because I was very coachable and learned from copying others. That karate dojo was a place where I could finally be me and I never missed a session. One time when I broke both feet, and still went and just trained with my arms.

I’ve thought of trying out for the MMA and the UFC. I’ve already done a bit of grappling. I might have a bit of success there.’

Aged 19, Lucy was forced to leave town in search of fresh employment and, with no dojos in sight, opted to dabble with the Noble Art instead.

‘Initially, it was very difficult because, for karate, I had a wide stance and my legs were my strength. I really struggled for the first four years but I refused to give up,’ recalls Wildheart, who won 24 of 27 amateur starts, several Golden Girl titles and represented Sweden right across continental Europe before succumbing to the paid brigade in 2017.

She explains: ‘I wanted to go the Olympics but didn’t have the patience to wait another four years. I was ambitious to move fast and be involved in longer fights that would give me a proper work out.

‘My goal was always to train full-time but professional boxing was banned in Sweden and there were no sponsors. I knew I had to move to either England or the US to make it. England was nearer. I’d had the opportunity to box on the undercard of (ex-British and European super-lightweight king) Colin Lynes and he assisted my passage.’

In addition to her birthland and Britain, Wildheart wandered to Poland, France, Ghana and Malta to secure low-paid action in her opening nine fights.

‘Being from Sweden and not having an Olympic background, I’ve not had an easy road,’ disclosed the former IBO Inter-Continental champion and IBO lightweight challenger.

‘All my fights have potentially been difficult but I’ve taken every opportunity that has been offered to me and made the best of it. The travelling has allowed me to see and experience different things.’

Her recent alignment to Maynard’s Strike Sports Management will provide the much-needed stability required for a concerted assault on global honours next year.

‘Long term, from my career, I want to be able to get a house, stables and a black horse,’ speculates Wildheart.

‘I also hope to win several world titles, undisputed, and be proud of myself, knowing I achieved everything I wanted to, Then I’d love to teach all the young women boxers out there, not just coaching but contracts, negotiations….’

With just one contentious defeat in 11 pro airings, clearly the Swede is more than a pretty face. She boasts the nimble feet expected from her study as a ballerina that earned her a position at the prestigious Swedish Academy, but turned it down to move to the UK to further her boxing career. In addition, her four stoppages (secured in two-minute rounds) are testament to the explosiveness acquired from years of competition at elite level Cross-Fit.

She does not lack for confidence or commitment.

‘I aim to perfect the craft of boxing,’ concludes the Samm Mullins coached starlet who takes on Sakhorov over eight-rounds in a crucial must win fight to enter 2023 in World title contention.

‘I’ve got a really nice shape and a fitness level that allows me to keep my skill level high for the full duration of a fight. I do whatever is needed to win but can change quickly if things aren’t going fully to plan.

‘I’ve a good style. I’m explosive but can also be a bit tricky. Plus, there’s several unshown aces in my pack. So far, I’ve just shown 30%. I guarantee there’s going to be some hot fights coming out of me!’

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Shields bests Marshall, Baumgardner defeats Mayer in London

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Shields bests Marshall, Baumgardner defeats Mayer in London | Boxen247.com

Shields bests Marshall, Baumgardner defeats Mayer in London | Boxen247.com

A sold-out O2 Arena bore witness to a moment of sporting history on Saturday night as Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall entered the ring to bring their ten-year rivalry to an end in the most anticipated female fight of all time.

And after 10 rounds of explosive action, Claressa Shields took a unanimous decision victory (96-94, 97-93, 97-93) to become Undisputed Middleweight Champion once again.

Savannah Marshall fought tenaciously, and landed devastating shots that would have knocked out other opponents at multiple times in the fight, but Shields fought through these assaults, and used slick head movement and inch-perfect counter punching to claim victory.

The fight started in hellacious fashion as Shields fired off a brutal whirlwind of punches in the first round, many of which found their target, with Marshall firing back later in the same round and pushing Shields into the corner of the ring.

Both women kept up this stunning pace across the first 6 rounds, both smashing each other with multiple shots that would have knocked out other opponents in every round. Momentum swung back and forth multiple times in every round of the fight, while the capacity crowd at the O2 Arena erupted in jubilation at any success enjoyed by Savannah Marshall.

Both fighters started to slow from the attrition of such a savage battle in the later rounds, but both remained willing to trade punches at close range. Marshall consistently walked Shields down and pinned her to the ropes, while Shields chose her moments to unleash counter-punches, often stopping Marshall’s advance in its tracks.

The final rounds were a battle of wills as fatigue started to take effect, and both fighters dug down to the very bottom of the tank to keep going. After 10 years of rivalry, both women were willing to give everything they had to try to be victorious, and walk away Undisputed World Middleweight Champion.

Both showed tremendous spirit for every second of the 10 ferocious rounds, and showed why they are both World Champions, but Claressa Shields walked away victorious, and justified in her claim to be The Greatest Woman Of All Time.

Full Undercard Results:

Alycia Baumgardner def. Mikeala Mayer – SD (96-95, 96-95, 93-97)

Alycia Baumgardner won a razor-thin split decision victory to become Unified Super-Featherweight World Champion in a back and forth battle that proved the determination of both women after the huge animosity felt by both fighters towards each other after a fiery build up to the fight.

The fight turned back and forth as both fighters had spells of dominance across the rounds, and both showed heart to battle for 10 hard rounds.

The first three rounds of the fight were cagey, with both fighters having moments of success, but neither clearly establishing themselves as in control of the fight.

Mayer found her rhythm in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds, finding range with her jab consistently and landing a barrage of powerful right hands in the 5th round that slowed Baumgardner’s aggression.

Baumgardner came back strongly after those dominant Mayer rounds and did damage across the rest of the fight, but with Mayer also finding opportunities for success.

Both women seemed certain of taking victory in the aggressive build-up to this fight, a build-up which boiled over at multiple points over the last few months, while both threw constant jabs on social media.

The animosity was never going to be settled anywhere other than in the ring, and with a decision as close as that one, it may still not be settled.

Lauren Price def. Timea Belik – TKO Rd 4 – 1:18

Another victory tonight for Olympic Gold Medalist and Welsh hero Lauren Price, only the 2nd of her young professional career, but she already looks destined to reach the very top of the sport after tonight’s  stoppage victory.

Tonight’s performance only further highlighted this phenomenal potential as she calmly outclassed a skillful opponent in Timea Belik. Price controlled the fight with her jab and expertly closed the distance at the perfect moments to shoot off combinations without Belik being able to fire anything off in return.

Belik was rocked by a damaging right hook near the end of the third round, and Price came close to claiming a stoppage there. Eventually the referee decided Belik had taken enough punishment and waved the fight off from an accumulation of damage.

Caroline Dubois def. Milena Koleva – TKO Rd 5 – 1:53

Caroline Dubois once again proved herself one of the most exciting prospects in world boxing, male or female, with a stunning knockout performance tonight.

Having taken 2 stoppage victories in the first 3 fights of her career, ‘Sweet Caroline’ seemed determined to make it a 3rd against an experienced opponent with 25 career fights, constantly roving forwards and throwing lightning fast 1-2s that thudded into Milena Koleva’s guard, pushing her back to the ropes.

The young Olympian started the fight tentatively, but started landing shots consistently in the second round, and ramped up the pressure from there. Dubois sent her tough opponent to the canvas in the dying seconds of the 4th round with a clubbing right hook that clipped Koleva round the ear and forced the round to end with the referee counting.

The former Team GB member finally overwhelmed her opponent with a sequence that started with a brutal left hook into Koleva’s body that left her winded, and a barrage of hooks forced Koleva into the corner and the referee stopped the fight with only 7 seconds left in the round.

Karriss Artingstall def. Marina Sakharov – PTS 60-54

Team GB Olympic Bronze Medalist Karriss Artingstall took an impressive victory in the opening bout of the televised portion of the event, moving to 2-0 as a professional after her successful debut in June. Artingstall battered Marina Sakharov from the very first bell, bludgeoning Sakharov with lead right hooks and straight right hands that almost stopped her in the very first minute.

Artingstall successfully switched offense between the head and the body throughout the fight, and was able to land consistently with both. The Macclesfield native threw with spite throughout the rounds, and looked very close to stopping the fight in multiple rounds.

Sakharov took a huge amount of punishment, but kept coming forward until the final bell and took the fight to the referee’s scorecard. Artingstall showed stunning boxing ability in her professional debut, but in her sophomore bout she showed destructive punch power and the hunger to seriously hurt her opponent.

April Hunter def. Erica Alvarez – PTS 60-54

Friend and camp mate of Savannah Marshall, April Hunter, took a convincing victory in her 7th professional bout, with 6 victories in that time. Hunter dealt with Alvarez’s awkward, frustrating style very successfully, connecting with jabs from the start of the first round.

Alvarez through looping, overhand rights throughout the fight, opening a small cut on the corner of Hunter’s eye in the very first round, but Hunter stayed disciplined and threw straight punches from range consistently, not allowing herself to get clipped often.

Hunter found more and more success as the fight went on, and looked close to getting a stoppage in the final rounds. Alvarez showed grit and determination to reach the final bell, but Hunter once again proved herself one of the best British boxers at her weight.

Ebonie Jones def. Vanessa Caballero – PTS 58-56

Still undefeated after four professional fights, Ebonie Jones put on a measured, but aggressive, performance on the way to a points victory. Jones used her jab and right hand to perfection against an intelligent opponent with over 40 professional fights to her name.

Jones refused to give up the centre of the ring in the fight, leaving Vanessa Caballero unable to stop Jones from firing off combinations across all the rounds. Jones continues to build momentum in her exciting professional career that looks set to carry on rising for a very long time.

Shannon Ryan def. Bucha El Quaissi – PTS 40-36

Shannon Ryan took another shutout points victory as she went to 3-0 as a professional, having not lost a single round in her career so far. She consistently outboxed and pressured an experienced opponent in Buchra El-Quaissi, landing big shots across all 4 rounds without taking much damage in return.

Ryan looked close to forcing a stoppage at points, with El Quaissi being hit with some serious shots at the end of the first round, and midway through the second, but the Spaniard showed heart to reach the final bell. In the fast moving world of Women’s boxing, Ryan looks set for big fights very soon.

Georgia O’Connor def. Joyce Van Ee – PTS 40-36

22-year-old prospect from the North East Georgia O’Connor took victory against an undefeated opponent in rough and tough Belgian Joyce Van Ee. O’Connor won Commonwealth Youth Gold in 2017, and looks set to light up the professional ranks very soon.

Van Ee dominated the centre of the ring through the fight, constantly pushing O’Connor to the ropes, forcing some slick footwork from the young star. This was an educational 4 rounds against an aggressive, undefeated opponent that will set her in good stead for even greater victories in future.

Ginny Fuchs def. Gemma Ruegg – PTS 60-54

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Ginny Fuchs took her professional record to 2-0 in a competitive six rounds that will leave her a vastly more experienced professional boxer than she entered the ring. Gemma Ruegg was tough and wily throughout the fight, and didn’t give the World Championship Bronze Medalist a moment to relax in the fight.

Fuchs found her rhythm more in the middle rounds and started to do significant damage, but not enough to stop Ruegg’s tenacious style, meaning Fuchs had to settle for a perfect points victory.

Sarah Liegmann def. Bec Connolly – PTS 59-55

Both Sarah Liegmann and Bec Connolly came to win in the fiery opening bout of the evening. Both women were willing to trade punches throughout the six rounds of the fight. The fight had quieter periods of boxing, but both were coming forward off their jab and launching right hands from the first minute to the last. Liegmann comes away from the fight an exciting 6-0 prospect in women’s boxing at only 20 years old.

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Shields vs. Marshall: Full fight card weights from London & video

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Shields vs. Marshall: Full fight card weights from London & video | Boxen247.com

Shields vs. Marshall: Full fight card weights from London & video | Boxen247.com

After ten years of tension, the time for talking is over – Claressa ‘GWOAT’ Shields and Savannah ‘The Silent Assassin’ Marshall officially made weight today for their long-awaited contest atop tomorrow night’s BOXXER LEGACY: Shields vs Marshall card.

The fight – for the undisputed middleweight championship of the world – headlines the event and brings a decade-long rivalry to the boil for what is the biggest fight in the history of female boxing.

Things are no less heated between the co-headline competitors: Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner had to be separated at today’s weigh-ins when they faced off for photos after making weight.

Having exchanged increasingly strong words for weeks, things boiled over today: as the things began to turn physical during the face-off, security stepped in to separate the pair. Mayer swung a kick at Baumgardner in the process, prompting an angry reaction from the Baumgardner team.

Today’s weigh-in results are below, measured in British stones and Imperial / US pounds:

At the link above please find a range of photos from today’s event, free for editorial use with credit to Lawrence Lustig / BOXXER.

 

BOXXER LEGACY: SHIELDS vs MARSHALL – Official Weigh In Results

Claressa Shields – 11st 5lb 5oz (159 lbs)

vs.

Savannah Marshall – 11st 5lb 5oz (159 lbs)

 

Mikaela Mayer – 9st 3lb 5oz (129 lbs)

vs.

Alycia Baumgardner – 9st 3lb 5oz (129 lbs)

 

Lauren Price 10st 5lb 5oz (145.3 lbs)

vs.

Timea Belik 10st 5lb (145 lbs)

 

Karriss Artingstall 8st 13lb 5oz (125 lbs)

vs.

Marina Sakharov 8st 12lb 5oz (124 lbs)

 

Caroline Dubois 9st 11 lbs (137 lbs)

vs.

Milena Koleva 9st 10 lbs 5oz (136.7 lbs)

 

April Hunter 11st (154 lbs)

vs.

Erica Alvarez 10st 12 lbs 5oz (152 lbs)

 

Georgia O’Connor 10st 9 lbs 5oz (149.3 lbs)

vs.

Joyce Van Ee 10st 12 lbs (152 lbs)

 

Ebonie Jones 8st 12 lbs (124 lbs)

vs.

Jasmina Nad 8st 8 lbs (120 lbs)

 

Ginny Fuchs 8st 2 lbs 5oz (114 lbs)

vs.

Gemma Ruegg 8st 3 lbs 5oz (115 lbs)

 

Sarah Leighmann 8st 13 lbs (125 lbs)

vs.

Rebecca Connolly 8st 13 lbs (125 lbs)

 

Shannon Ryan 8st 2 lbs (114 lbs)

vs.

Buchra El Quaissi 8st 5oz (117 lbs)

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Olympians added to historic Shields vs. Marshall line-up

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Olympians added to historic Shields vs. Marshall line-up | Boxen247.com

Olympians added to historic Shields vs. Marshall line-up | Boxen247.com

Golden girl Lauren Price MBE (1-0) will fight on a historic night of women’s boxing as the Welsh wonder takes on Hungary’s Timea Belik (6-6-0, 2 KOs) at The O2 in London on 10th September, screened live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

Tickets are on sale now via Boxxer.com, with prices beginning at just £25.

Stylish southpaw Price opened her professional career with an impressive points victory over Valgerdur Gudstensdottir at Wembley back in June.

And the Tokyo 2020 Team GB gold medallist from Newport will be keen to make another emphatic statement of intent to the middleweight division on what will be a defining night of ‘Legacy’ at the iconic venue in London.

Price’s partner and fellow Olympic hero Karriss Artingstall (1-0) will also be out to make it two wins from two on the professional scene when she faces off against France’s experienced campaigner Marina Sakharov (5-16-2, 3 KOs).

The Macclesfield featherweight shone on her debut in Coventry earlier this summer, when she comfortably dispatched Vaida Masiokaite on points.

Fellow former Team GB star Caroline Dubois (3-0, 2 KOs) will bid to continue her meteoric rise towards a future world title shot when she takes on Bulgaria’s seasoned professional Milena Koleva (10-14-1, 4 KOs) in six rounds of lightweight action.

Destined for superstardom, ‘Sweet Caroline’ dazzled in front of a sold-out Boxxer crowd in Bournemouth last week as she celebrated her third professional win inside five months, demolishing Happy Daudi with a clinical, third round TKO finish.

Fight fans will undoubtedly witness something special with Dubois in action, when the Shane McGuigan-trained southpaw displays her dynamite arsenal of shots in her home city.

But she faces a formidable opponent in Koleva who took Katie Taylor to the distance back in March 2017, only to be beaten on points.

Ben Shalom, BOXXER CEO and Founder, said: “We’re proud to announce these three Team GB Olympic heroines joining us to make boxing history on 10th September.

“Caroline was incredible in Bournemouth and is clearly destined to reach the top, but this fight against Milena Koleva will be a tough step up for her against an opponent who pushed Katie Taylor to the limit. I also can’t wait to see Lauren and Karriss in action on the same night. Both have exciting futures and I know they will be keen to steal the limelight with impressive performances.

“Thanks to an incredible summer of the Lionesses celebrating Euro glory and the success of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham there’s a massive feelgood factor around women’s sport and now it’s professional boxing’s time to shine. We couldn’t be any prouder to put on this historic show at The O2.”

Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development at Sky Sports, added: “This truly is history in the making. And adding three super talented and hugely popular Olympians to the mix makes it even better. Caroline has shown why she will be a prospect to be feared, especially with her brilliant display recently in Bournemouth.

“And both Lauren and Karriss are destined for very bright futures – Olympic 2020 medalists and now two of the brightest prospects in British boxing and emerging onto the professional circuit in an era when women’s sport is ascending to its rightful place alongside the men’s game and inspiring a whole new generation of female athletes. I cannot wait to watch all three in action for what will be an unmissable evening at The O2.”

Elsewhere on the undercard, Portsmouth’s Ebonie Jones (2-0-1) faces Spanish featherweight foe Vanesa Caballero (4-15-3), as exciting American flyweight Ginny Fuchs (1-0, 1 KO) travels across the pond to take on Gemma Ruegg (5-4-0, 1 KO).

April Hunter (5-1-0) faces Argentina’s Erica Alvarez (3-6-0), whilst fellow North-East native and rising super-welterweight prospect Georgia O’Connor (2-0) looks to protect her unbeaten start in the professional ranks.

Londoner Shannon Ryan (2-0) makes the short Tube trip across the Jubilee Line from Neasden to North Greenwich as the super flyweight comes up against Spain’s Bucha El Quaissi (3-2-3, 1 KO).

And super bantamweight sensation Sarah Leigmann (4-0, 1 KO) completes a historic all female line-up as the German fighter goes head-to-toe with Swindon’s Bec Connolly (3-15-0).

Over a decade in the making, bitter rivals Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) and Savannah Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs) headline the most anticipated women’s fight in history in a winner-takes-all undisputed title clash.

Also fighting on this unmissable evening of boxing are some of the best female fighters on the planet in Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KOs) and Alycia Baumgardner (12-1-0, 7 KOs). The American rivals will battle it out in the co-main event for the undisputed super featherweight championship.

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