Lauren Parker: “I want another shot at something big.”

Lauren Parker: “I want another shot at something big.”

Lauren Parker hasn’t boxed since April, and her unsuccessful attempt to become the British and Commonwealth super-flyweight champion. On the night, Emma Dolan deserved her victory. But It was, in many ways, lessons learned for the former European champion.

“The fight with Emma Dolan was a huge opportunity for me and, funny enough, probably the one I’ve learned the most from,” a reflective Parker told FightPost. “They say the biggest lessons come when you don’t get the win, and in my case, that couldn’t be more true.

“That said, anyone who knows me will understand that losing doesn’t sit well with me. I train relentlessly year in, year out, even when there’s no fight on the horizon, because I’m always striving to improve. So, while one setback won’t define me, it’s something that lingers in the back of my mind and always will.”

The highly-ranked Emma Dolan is making a career out of inflicting defeat on her domestic rivals. Nicola Hopewell and Shannon Ryan both lost their unbeaten records to Dolan. Good fighters who have regrouped and rebounded from suffering early career setbacks.

I thought Parker made a decent enough start to their fight at the York Hall, but her night seemed to slowly drift away from her before coming out at the wrong end of a unanimous points decision by scores of 94-97, 92-98, and 93-98.

“On the night, the better fighter won,” Parker relayed to me. “Congratulations to Emma. She’s a talented boxer and fully deserves the victory. That reach of hers is something else! Still, stepping into the ring that night felt different, like something was missing. In all honesty, I just didn’t show up the way I should have. It happens sometimes, even to the best, but it’s a horrible feeling.

“Looking back, there were a few factors that played a part. The biggest was rehydration. I came in light at the weigh-in, and by fight night I’d only gained about 1.5kg. That’s nowhere near enough, and it definitely affected my performance. It’s a mistake I won’t make again.”

Parker isn’t letting the second defeat of her career affect her ambitions too much. Thoughts of a rematch with Emma Dolan linger, but also a return to the bright lights of a big fight elsewhere.

“Right now, I’m taking a little time for myself,” Parker says. “I’ve got some personal things going on that are putting the brakes on boxing temporarily. My hope is to be back in the new year, circumstances allowing. When I do return, I’ll probably need a “warm-up fight” first, but ultimately, I want another shot at something big. And if the chance of a rematch with Emma comes along, I certainly wouldn’t say no. Otherwise, I’ll be sitting down with my team to map out the next steps.”

At 34, Lauren Parker still has time on her side to come again. While she has stated previously that she would be willing to drop down to flyweight for the right fight, there should be enough options at her natural weight to satisfy her ambitions. Chloe Watson and Shannon Ryan fight next month in an intriguing match-up, and with Maiseyrose Courtney eyeing up the winner, Parker could very easily be positioned into a fight with any of those three fighters. Either way, that loss to Dolan shouldn’t be where it ends. Only where it starts.