Natasha Jonas vs. Lauren Price & The Relaunch of Women’s Boxing

Natasha Jonas vs. Lauren Price & The Relaunch of Women’s Boxing

Several pieces of the jigsaw were undoubtedly missing at today’s press conference to announce the undercard of the latest Boxxer all-female extravaganza, but what we did find out was enough to justify it being labelled as a relaunch of women’s boxing.

Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price will headline at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7th. A big unification showdown with three world welterweight baubles on the line. It’s a fight of real intrigue, and the undercard is now beginning to take shape.

Caroline Dubois vs.

Caroline Dubois was announced as being on that undercard. But we don’t know yet who she will be sharing a ring with on March 7th. The WBC world lightweight champion has made no secret of her desire to fight the WBO champion Terri Harper at the Royal Albert Hall. It is a fight that has many similarities with the main event. A young up-and-coming star taking on a vastly more experienced fighter. It would be the perfect chief support to Jonas and Price. Another big all-British world title unification showdown. The occasion demands such a fight. Harper is in demand and could fight Beatriz Ferreira instead. It might come down to money, but Dubois and Harper really should be on this card.

Karriss Artingstall vs. Raven Chapman

One fight that was confirmed for the card was another all-British clash with Karriss Artingstall and Raven Chapman meeting in an enticing featherweight fight that could propel the winner into a world title fight before the year ends. Both deserve credit for taking the fight. A fight that carries huge risk but equally, high reward. The name of Skye Nicholson will hover over the fight both pre-fight and post-fight.

Chapman is coming off a loss to Nicholson in a failed bid for the WBC world featherweight title. Artingstall, who ended the Australian’s Olympic dreams in Tokyo, and there is an obvious narrative if Artingstall can end her extended ring hiatus with a victory over Chapman. But in simple terms, it is just a really good fight. They said at the press conference that it could steal the show. It just might.

Cindy Ngamba vs.

Boxxer announced a multi-fight promotional deal with the Olympic medallist Cindy Ngamba, and Ngamba, who won a bronze medal in Paris will make her professional debut at the Royal Albert Hall. The inspiring and history-making Ngamba could play a major part in the future of women’s boxing and the 26-year-old couldn’t have wished for a bigger platform to launch her professional career.

The Boxxer show will likely be a six or seven-fight card, so only a few places are seemingly remaining. Here are the possible fights to fill the remainder of the card.

Francesca Hennessy vs. Shannon Courtenay

I would be astonished if Francesca Hennessy is not on the card, and as previously written, a fight with the former world bantamweight champion Shannon Courtenay ticks many boxes. Another all-British fight that would put a future star against a more established opponent. A win over Courtenay would give Hennessy a big name on her record, and for Courtenay, it gives her a way back in after a recent defeat and an extended period in the boxing wilderness. In truth, it works for both.

Emma Dolan vs. Lauren Parker

It’s extremely difficult to envisage Emma Dolan and Lauren Parker not being on this card. A British and Commonwealth double-title super-flyweight clash between two fighters with a crowd-pleasing style. It seems the easiest of fights to make. Both want the fight. It shouldn’t break the bank. It should get made.

Chloe Watson vs. Jasmina Zapotoczna

Jasmina Zapotoczna is coming off an upset win over Maisey Rose Courtney and is the mandatory challenger for Chloe Watson’s European flyweight title. Another fight that both fighters want, and is another fight that shouldn’t be that hard to get over the line. And another fight that will be easy on the eye. Both have styles that will gel. It would be a more than worthy addition to the card.

If we are to see a proper full-on relaunch of women’s boxing, we need to see a mixture of future stars coupled with great fights. Preferably, at the same time. If there was a criticism of the previous all-female card in 2022, it lacked, outside of the top two world title fights, an undercard of competitive fights. The suggestions above give us that and more.