Lily Devlin: “I see myself boxing for world titles.”

Lily Devlin: “I see myself boxing for world titles.”

The process of getting a licence from the British Boxing Board of Control can be a long one. Circumstances can differ. The medical alone can be beyond stressful. But Lily Devlin has a unique story on that journey to becoming a professional boxer.

The 25-year-old is in the Army, and that little detail alone has slowed down the process somewhat.

“I had to wait to have a meeting with my Commander Officer,” Devlin told me over Zoom. “I then had to wait for the Army Sport to give me the green light before we could apply to the British Boxing Board of Control for a licence. I had my interview today, which went well. I now have to have an assessment because I haven’t boxed for over eighteen months. I have got that next week, so it’s going somewhere now, which is good.”

There is now real hope that the Norwich-born fighter could launch her professional career sometime in the next few months. “I was talking to my manager today, and he is hoping I can have my debut before June. I would like to be out around April time, but I don’t know if that is being over-optimistic.”

Devlin shouldn’t be short of opportunities when that long-awaited debut finally materialises. Devlin has signed with promoter Mark Nielson, which should result in her not being short of ring activity, and the Norfolk fighter will campaign in and around a division that should provide her with plenty of opposition.

“I think I am going to slowly get down to bantamweight,” Devlin told FightPost. “I might have a few fights at super-bantamweight, but if any title fights come up, bantamweight will be the division that I will box for titles in, I think.”

After starting and spending three years as a reservist, Devlin has been in the regular Army in logistics for four years. She doesn’t foresee any problems combining her Army and boxing careers.

“Work is really supportive. Obviously, it will depend on whether I am away on training courses. But my promoter will be very good at putting on shows around my work schedule. Work will allow me time off to train when I go into training camp. I will try my best to balance everything because I think my Army career is just as important.”

Devlin is twelve years and forty fights into her boxing story. An initial entry because of a desire to get fit has now turned into something a little more. “I started boxing in 2012. I then joined the Army Boxing Team in 2019. I only went initially to get fit and lose a bit of weight because I was overweight at the time. But I kept going back, and eventually, they asked if I wanted to compete.”

Like many, boxing has changed many things for Lily Devlin. “It’s made me as a person, boxing has given me a purpose,” Devlin says of what boxing gives her. “It’s given me drive and helped in everyday life. Boxing has given me my confidence. It has benefited my life in every single way. I don’t ever see myself not being involved in the sport. Even if I stopped boxing, I’d always be involved as a coach or something like that.”

Devlin is inspired by Katie Taylor and hopes to follow a similar route on the world stage.
“I see myself boxing for world titles,” Devlin told me. “I think I can do that down the line after I’ve gained some experience. Maybe a Southern Area first and then push on from there. I know it will be a long road for me because I wasn’t on GB or anything like that. But I’m going to work my way up and get to those big fights.”