Emma Dolan Upsets Shannon Ryan

Emma Dolan Upsets Shannon Ryan

In a thoroughly absorbing affair, Emma Dolan took away the unbeaten record of Shannon Ryan and, in the process, retained her Commonwealth super-flyweight title and also claimed the inaugural British title in Birmingham on Saturday night.

Dolan was a more than deserving winner over the previously unbeaten Matchroom prospect. The judges were split, but this observer couldn’t really make a case for a Ryan victory. One judge somehow saw Ryan winning 95-94 but was overruled by far more reflective scores of 96-94 and 96-93 for Dolan. I had Dolan 6-4 up in rounds, and the 2nd round knockdown edged her further away on my card. It was a terrific contest and a true showcase for their side of the sport.

Ryan took a tight opener before the trajectory of the fight changed dramatically in the next round. A big right hand from Dolan clearly rocked her opponent, a few more punches on the inside saw Ryan dropped for the first time in her career. The knockdown came at the bell. That bell probably saved Ryan from a stoppage defeat.

But I thought Ryan came back well to win the 3rd, but at no point did I think she was up on the cards after that opening round. She always seemed to be swimming against the tide, and couldn’t quite solve the puzzle in front of her.

The Carl Greaves fighter had a big 7th round, and Ryan was seemingly fading from her earlier efforts. While she undoubtedly had some success, but I thought it was too fleeting and she was guilty of loading up on her punches. Many of which failed to find their intended target. The quality work was coming from Dolan. And for me, the quantity as well.

Dolan, the taller fighter, boxed well all night long, and Ryan couldn’t really drive home any success that she had. The Matchroom fighter emptied the tank in the final round. But by then, her fight was already lost.

Ryan was brave and did well to recover from that disastrous 2nd round. But not for the first time, the gas tank seemed to empty down the stretch.

Dolan upset the odds, and her confidence was impressive all week long. Now unbeaten in seven fights, the hope is Dolan can now move onto the world stage. A fighter who was undervalued prior, but hopefully, all the plaudits will now come her way.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing