Natasha Jonas vs. Lauren Price: Who Should Be On The Undercard?

Natasha Jonas vs. Lauren Price: Who Should Be On The Undercard?

Boxxer delivered a truly iconic night in 2022 when they dared to deliver an all-female card at the O2 Arena in London. It was, in many ways, a gamble. But it delivered in every way imaginable. A sold-out Arena. Over two million viewers tuned in. Two headline fights that rivalled each other for their venom. Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall, Alycia Baumgardner, and Mikaela Mayer sold the show, but the supporting cast of Lauren Price, Karriss Artingstall, and Caroline Dubois gave a little hint of what was still to come.

It was a moment in time, when women’s boxing was on a roll. It found acceptance. It had momentum. But with the vast investment of the Riyadh Season shows throughout 2024, the female side of the sport suffered as a result. There were a few notable highs, but largely, it was a year of stagnation.

But Ben Shalom and Boxxer are going again. A relaunch of women’s boxing will be held on March 7th at the Royal Albert Hall. Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price will headline. An intriguing all-British showdown with three world welterweight titles on the line. We know the headline act. But we don’t know who will play the supporting roles.

It’s a little bit of fantasy matchmaking. Wishful thinking in some cases, albeit with some semblance of realism, but here is my ideal undercard for March 7th.

Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper

Providing Caroline Dubois comes through the first defence of her WBC world lightweight title this weekend in Sheffield unscathed, she is almost certainly going to get a quick turnaround and play an important part on March 7th. Dubois hopes it will come with a big fight. With ambitions of being the last lightweight standing in 2025, a fight with the WBO bauble holder Terri Harper would be the first step on the road to undisputed. Offers have already reportedly been made to the Harper camp, but with the Denaby fighter likely to be in demand for unification fights elsewhere, it will need significant investment to secure her services. But it does seem to be the ideal fight for a showcase card like this. Dubois could be the future of her sport. But Harper, now a three-weight world champion, deserves her place on a show as significant as this one. In truth, it is just a really good fight. And an important one. The perfect chief support.

Raven Chapman vs. Karriss Artingstall

For several reasons, a fight between the two domestic featherweight rivals seems remote, at least for March. Karriss Artingstall featured on the O2 card in 2022 and seems likely to feature again this time. But after a year on the sidelines, a fight with the recent world title challenger Raven Chapman could be considered too much after so long out. But if Artingstall wants to remind everyone of her talents, a fight with Chapman could propel her right into the world title picture.

Francesca Hennessy vs. Shannon Courtenay

Francesca Hennessy is another fighter who will surely grace the undercard. Heavily promoted already, the unbeaten 20-year-old is incredibly ambitious, and a fight with the former world champion Shannon Courtenay could be the logical next step for her. It also gives Courtenay a chance to get her career back on track after her recent setback. Despite coming off a comeback loss, Courtenay still represents an attractive upgrade in competition for Hennessy. A match-up that has previously been mooted by some, a fight between Hennessy and Courtenay, could be a viable option for the Royal Albert Hall.

Emma Dolan vs. Lauren Parker

In this observer’s humble opinion, the perfect opening act would be Emma Dolan and Lauren Parker, ideally with both the British and Commonwealth super-flyweight titles on the line. A perfect blend of contrasting styles, it would set the evening up quite nicely. Dolan, who took away the unbeaten record of Shannon Ryan and Parker, the former European Champion, have the potential to be the fight of the night. A natural fight. An easy fight to make. A fight that should be made.

Chloe Watson vs. Jasmina Zapotoczna

It might not make the main card proper, but it could, but a fight between the European flyweight champion and Jasmina Zapotoczna, would be a justifiably good fight for the occasion. This fight has been scheduled previously, March 7th would be the perfect time to get it rescheduled. Zapotoczna beat Maisey Rose Courtney last year and is more than capable of beating the Ricky Hatton protege. But Watson has a touch of class about her. The winner would be in line for a shot at the world title later in the year.

The preliminary spots should be filled by the next generation of talent. A relaunch should be a showcase of the potential stars of the future.

Lillie Winch is another fighter who looks odds on to feature. The former two-time National Amateur Champion Hannah Robinson should follow her. Unbeaten in two since leaving the amateur ranks behind her, the Jamie Moore-trained prospect has realistic hopes of becoming a world champion. Shalom would be advised to give Robinson a place on the card.

I’d like to see the fighting sisters Harli and Shona Whitwell feature. Harli, an unbeaten and highly-touted super-featherweight prospect, is already five fights into her professional career. Shona will launch her new journey this year. March 7th might come a little too soon for Shona Whitwell and there are alternative plans for her professional debut, but there is an obvious selling point in having them both on the show. But even without her elder sister joining her, Harli Whitwell is surely a fighter who should at least be in the conversation to fight at that iconic London venue.

Boxxer will likely have different plans, and some of the above fights are in fairness probably out of reach for a plethora of reasons, but whoever features on the latest all-female extravaganza the hope is the planned relaunch is exactly that.

Main Card:

Natasha Jonas vs. Lauren Price
Caroline Dubois vs. Terri Harper
Raven Chapman vs. Karriss Artingstall
Francesca Hennessy vs. Shannon Courtenay
Emma Dolan vs. Lauren Parker

Preliminary Fights:

Chloe Watson vs. Jasmina Zapotoczna

Plus:

Harli Whitwell
Shona Whitwell
Hannah Robinson
Lillie Winch