Emma Dolan: “Once I get through Lauren, I want to be fighting for a world title this year. That’s my goal.”

Emma Dolan: “Once I get through Lauren, I want to be fighting for a world title this year. That’s my goal.”

By Garry White

“They’re very clever at what they do, aren’t they?” remarks Emma Dolan of the movers and shakers outside of the ropes in boxing. But for clarity, these words are not meant as a compliment. Only in boxing could the 26-year-old beat an opponent and then find that same opponent has leapfrogged her for a European title shot. Rather than Dolan, it is instead Shannon Ryan, outpointed by Dolan last summer, who is now in the frame to fight Italy’s Stephanie Silva for the European 115 lbs belt on a still-to-be-confirmed date later this year.

Anyone not properly versed in boxing’s jaundiced logic would question how Ryan’s only fight since the loss to Dolan, a TKO success over Kate Radomska, who had lost four of her previous five fights and possessed only a 50/50 record, is sufficient to elevate her above the unbeaten Carl Greaves-trained and managed boxer. However, nearly four years in the pro game have taught Dolan that connections and money are everything. More importantly, that dwelling too long on not having either is a sure-fire route to moon-howling misery. “Money makes fights. Look, I’m not into all the glitz and glamour, but at the end of the day, you need a big promoter with big TV money to get the big fights over the line. If you haven’t got the TV money in front of you, then the funds just aren’t there to make some of these fights happen,” says a sanguine and mature Dolan.

“Lauren [Parker] had to vacate that European belt because she wasn’t able to defend it, and now Shannon [Ryan] will be fighting for it because she’s got the money behind her, despite the loss on her record.” This, regrettably, is a case study in how boxing works, perhaps evidenced more starkly in the female ranks where the depth is still developing, is naturally thinner, and thus these types of shenanigans are harder to obfuscate. It is also fitting that whilst Ryan eyes up her forthcoming European opportunity, Dolan and Parker will be facing off against each other on Friday night amidst the spit and sawdust of London’s York Hall. Dolan’s British and Commonwealth belts (both the first of their kind at super flyweight) will also be on the line.

Both women have some of the most honourable people in boxing in their respective corners, but as we have seen with the ‘Saudi Season’ and all the lickspittle fawning, bowing and scraping over Turki Alalshikh, nothing in this game, including self-respect and decency, holds a candle to cold hard cash. Ryan has the Matchroom machine behind her, whereas Dolan and Parker do not. Their lot is to gaze in from the outside of the tent. Occasionally, they are invited in but only on the least favourable terms in respect of timing and preparation, and should they have the temerity to win, then they might if they are fortunate be invited to stay – alternatively lack of funds and connections will ultimately stimmy their growth and they can soon be frozen out anyway. Much like the casino, the house dictates the odds and always wins in the end.

The recent all-female Boxxer card at the Royal Albert Hall presented a chance for both fighters to appear on a huge stage and be part of history, but frustratingly, the door was shut on them. “Before Christmas, I was told I was going to be on it. Then I heard about a month before the show that I wouldn’t be. I think it was about two weeks before the show that I heard I might be in the frame again. But I think in the end, they put Chloe Watson versus Jasmina Zapotoczna on instead. It was all a bit of a ‘mess around,” reveals Dolan in a frank insight into the machinations of making a fight.

All this has meant that Dolan has been in training since December, following the late cancellation due to a chest infection of her Commonwealth defence against Megan Redstall shortly before Christmas. She has now not fought since that victory over Ryan nearly ten months ago. Eager for any opportunity to push on towards a world title, Dolan is ranked ‘three’ with the IBF – the 26-year-old was relieved when Izzy Asif’s GBM Promotions stepped in to promote her defence against Parker. “When the Boxxer card didn’t happen, Izzy jumped straight in to put the fight on his show,” says Dolan, who will be the chief support to a headliner featuring Daniel Blenda Dos Santos versus Brad Rea for the European light heavyweight title. “He’s a nice guy,” she says of Asif. “I’ve got a lot of respect for him. It would be great to work with him in the future.”

Dolan has been maximising the extra preparation time in the gym, working with sparring partners that include newly crowned European flyweight champion Jasmina Zapotoczna and top Team GB amateur Lauren Mackie. The Norfolk-native is fully aware that the tall and rangy Parker will present a different challenge to many of her previous contests. “Lauren [Parker] will bring different things to the table because she’s taller, and she boxes differently,” she says. But rather than being fazed by it, she is instead relishing the opportunity. “It will just give me the chance to show things I haven’t been able to show in my last couple of fights. I’m really excited to get the opportunity to show something different,” enthuses Dolan.

Despite her obvious confidence, Dolan is adamant that she will not take the new challenge presented by Parker for granted. “Look, Lauren will be tough, and if I’m not switched on, she will be there looking to take her opportunities. But I won’t go looking for anything or take any unnecessary chances. I’ll box behind my jab, but if openings appear, I’ll be taking them. I know that I’ll win in a good way on the night,” she affirms.

That last sentence hangs in the air and is very telling. Dolan knows that for someone in her position, simply winning the fight is not enough. She has to do more than that. Not only is a convincing win – beamed out live on DAZN, demanded. But it must also be delivered in a crowd-pleasing, photogenic way. Only then can she entice the promoters and the necessary financial backing to push her career on. Biting on her gumshield and winning ugly might ensure she retains her belts, but by itself, it will not elevate her to the next level.

Without getting ahead of herself, Dolan reiterates, “I want to be a world champion. That’s what I want to achieve from the sport. I just need to keep my head down, keep getting through my fights and making my way up the list. That way, I have to get my chance.

But at the same time, she is in no mood to be overly patient. “Once I get through Lauren, I want to be fighting for a world title this year. That’s my goal. But it’s very hard without a promotional deal. Hopefully, someone will jump on board soon.”

If she can win well on Friday night, then surely the phone is due to be ringing sooner rather than later.