Nicola Hopewell: A Fighter Who Just Wants To Fight. Why Is That So Difficult?

Nicola Hopewell: A Fighter Who Just Wants To Fight. Why Is That So Difficult?

‘Another week goes by, grafting away but still waiting for some fight news 🥊

‘My goal this year was to stay active …. We’re in August, and my goal isn’t going well 🤷🏻‍♀️
I’m glad I don’t rely on boxing for my income.’

They are simple but honest words from a fighter who just wants to fight.

Nicola Hopewell claimed the vacant Commonwealth flyweight title in April. A hard-earned victory over the always tough Gemma Ruegg earned the Worksop fighter her first professional bauble. It should have led to more. But it hasn’t led to anything.

The win over Ruegg was followed by a half-time presentation at her beloved Bramall Lane. The warm embrace from her fellow Blades, shiny new belt gripped tightly. Hopewell enjoyed her moment. Surely she had more to come.

But four months on, Hopewell has no fight in sight. There were discussions to match her with Chloe Watson. A fight that made sense. Watson defending her European crown. Hopewell risking her Commonwealth title live on Channel 5. A good old-fashioned domestic dust-up with two major titles on the line. With a bit of give and take in the negotiations, surely common sense would be in play. A natural fight. A very good fight. A big terrestrial audience. Her profile enhanced. But it fell away, for reasons unknown. Hopewell lost a potential golden ticket. It might not come her way again.

GBM Sports promoted the card when Hopewell claimed that Commonwealth title in April. A regular on their shows, surely when they promoted another show in Sheffield, Hopewell would feature. GBM will go back to Sheffield on September 27th, but Hopewell will not be on that card. That state of play might change, of course, but you have to wonder why Hopewell isn’t already on that show. There was momentum. There was something to build on. Why let that go?

Why hasn’t the call come? Have the calls even been made on her behalf? Not just for that show, but for other shows in and around her Sheffield catchment area. Boxxer had a show on Saturday night in Barnsley. An ideal audition role for a fighter who should have at least some leverage with that Commonwealth title that she now proudly owns.

The plight of Hopewell isn’t unique on her side of the sport. Available dates are seemingly in decline. Has the novelty now worn off? Or, as the women quite rightly demand to be paid what they are worth, are the promoters now looking elsewhere for their ‘cheap’ labour?

Ebanie Bridges, a former world champion, a friend of Hopewell, and a fighter who trains in the same Sheffield gym, is in the exact same predicament. Bridges had recovered from surgery on her right hand and was ready to fight by last August. It took another four months to find her a date. Despite wanting to fight again soon after, she is still waiting. One year. One fight.

Natasha Jonas, a reigning world champion, had a Fight of the Year contender against Mikaela Mayer in January. Both wanted the rematch. The money on both sides was agreed. But still, it couldn’t get made. Jonas is still waiting for that locked-in fight date. I could relay a plethora of similar stories. The story of Nicola Hopewell is not one of solitude.

Hopewell will hope her frustration ends quickly. She’s at the stage of her career where she needs to be moving forward and not having to go through meaningless fights where she learns absolutely nothing. Although, right now, any fight would suffice. But the Commonwealth title should carry weight and be enough of a temptation to entice others in. If not, then what’s the point of having it.

The Worksop fighter deserves better. It’s not the first time that I’ve written those words.

Photo Credit: Clive Wood