Nicola Hopewell & The Case For a British Super-Flyweight Title

Nicola Hopewell & The Case For a British Super-Flyweight Title

Her entry into the world of professional boxing may have been somewhat belated, but the delay into the boxing world proper seems to have been beneficial in many ways. The women’s side of the sport is booming, the depth is improving, and Nicola Hopewell could very well be in the right place at the right time.

Hopewell after her hugely impressive debut in Sheffield returns this Friday in Doncaster for the next step of a career which promises plenty. The potential has always been there. Wrong place, right time. But finally, in a world where she belongs, we get to see just how good the Worksop super-flyweight really is.

The division where Hopewell resides is stacked. If ever a case could be made for an introduction of a British women’s title, the British Boxing Board of Control could do a lot worse than the super-flyweight division. Why there isn’t a British title already in any weight division is beyond me. A natural progression. It should be here already.

The British ranks might be limited in numbers, but certainly not in quality. Five fighters, all bring value and potential. According to Boxrec, Lauren Parker sits at the top of the tree. The likes of Emma Dolan and Shannon Ryan lie in wait, and Hopewell sits nicely behind them. One fight, one stoppage, Hopewell highlighted her promise in her debut win over Claudia Ferenczi. It ended in the 6th round, the veteran of over 100 fights hardly landed a punch on the impressive debutant. Hopewell shined, and you couldn’t fail to have been impressed by what Hopewell served up.

A British title has been a long time coming in the female ranks, a case of when and not if it happens. There is no reason why the super-flyweight division shouldn’t be the first recipient of the Lonsdale belt. Give it time, Hopewell will be in the mix.

Hopewell will grace the Doncaster Dome on Friday night with expectations that it will be a stepping stone to bigger things. Fights with the likes of Parker, Ryan and Dolan are for the future. Although one with Gemma Ruegg, the 5th fighter on the Boxrec listings, is probably more imminent. A catchweight fight with Bec Connolly may come even sooner. Both fighters have told me they would take it. It makes a lot of sense.

Fighters shouldn’t be rushed and the Worksop hopeful should be afforded enough time to develop before the button is pushed. But when that time comes, we will have a lot of very good domestic fights to look forward to. And fights that by then should have at the very least, a British title on the line.