FORMER UFC STAR MOLLY ‘MEATBALL’ MCCANN LAUNCHES BOXING CAREER WITH MATCHROOM

FORMER UFC STAR MOLLY ‘MEATBALL’ MCCANN LAUNCHES BOXING CAREER WITH MATCHROOM

Former UFC star Molly McCann has signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make her professional debut later this year following a memorable career in MMA.
 
McCann, a former ABA Champion, takes up boxing after 10 years in MMA, and the hugely popular Liverpudlian kicks off life in the squared circle campaigning at Bantamweight under the guidance of Danny ‘Whitho’ Whithington at No Limits ABC in her home city.
 
The 35-year-old, nicknamed ‘Meatball’ after working in a sandwich shop, is one of the most successful and high-profile women’s fighters in British MMA history, and now hopes to win a World Title in professional boxing within eight fights.

“This was always the dream,” said McCann. “As everyone knows, I’ve boxed before. My weight didn’t get added to the Olympic Games, so the only other option was MMA. MMA has given me a phenomenal life – one that boxing could never give me, but my love was always in the squared circle.

“I can’t wait to fight. I can’t wait to show everyone the pedigree of boxing that I’ve got. People will probably think that I’m just going to run in and just try and take chins off, which is correct. That is what I’m going to do! But I’ll do it in an educated manner. I worked so hard on building the brand in MMA and changing stereotypes.

“There was only one place I was coming. There were offers from everywhere, but I did send Eddie a little message. I said it’s better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know. There’s no other place I’d rather be. This is the premier show for me. I’ve known everyone at Matchroom for quite a long time, and I’ve got a good relationship with Eddie.

“I’ve always been at the shows for the past few years causing trouble, and now I get to bring all the scousers with me and have a go. The ultimate goal is to be a World Champion. I’ve got to earn my stripes like everyone else. I want a World Title within eight fights.”

“She has the ability to be a huge star in boxing. We’re talking about Molly starting somewhere around the Bantamweight division. There’s some really good fighters there. The movement of her career is going to be really interesting. The most important thing is to be active. We need to keep building her boxing brand now. You’re going to see her fighting for a World Championship within 12 months, I think. ” – Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman