Maiseyrose Courtney: “I want the fights that put me in a position where I can reach my dreams.”

Maiseyrose Courtney: “I want the fights that put me in a position where I can reach my dreams.”

Maiseyrose Courtney ended a frustrating year with a convincing points victory over Sara Orszagi at the Indigo in London on Wednesday evening. Courtney outpointed her Hungarian opponent 60-54 over six one-sided rounds and hopes the new year brings her far more activity and the major titles her talents deserve.

Even considering the quality of opposition in front of her, Courtney impressed over those six rounds with Orszagi. When she ignores the temptation to stay in the pocket too long, Courtney has always had good distance control. And a touch of class. Boxing nicely behind her jab, the right hand was particularly impressive, and her quick feet all showed the quality Courtney undoubtedly possesses. The signs are good for what potentially lies ahead. 2026 should be about hunting down the big fights and chasing the major titles.

2025 has been a year of too much inactivity for the 25-year-old. Just two fights in a calendar year is hardly a schedule to build any kind of momentum. Fights falling through, injury, and the current state of women’s boxing in the UK have all played their part in a year which hasn’t gone according to plan for the talented flyweight contender. But 2026 promises a whole lot more.

In ten fights, only Jasmina Zapotoczna has beaten her, and Courtney has been made mandatory to rematch Zapotoczna, this time with the European flyweight title on the line. Unless the reigning European champion can secure a world title opportunity in the early part of next year, a rematch with Courtney makes sense for both fighters.

A second fight with Zapotoczna is clearly of interest to Courtney. “I 100% want the rematch with Jasmina.”

The option of making a British title fight at flyweight should be explored. There is enough talent in and around the domestic ranks to justify the creation of a Lonsdale belt. Maiseyrose Courtney should be the first name on the list to fight for it. There has been constant ongoing talk for a fight between Courtney and Chloe Watson. It should be revisited, preferably with the British title on the line. It would be a real shame if Courtney and Watson don’t fight each other at some point in their careers. Courtney also has eyes on a fight with Laura Pain.

Courtney has seemingly got a plethora of options waiting for her, and there is no reason why her career can’t get going again with some real purpose and intent in 2026.

“I want the fights that put me in a position where I can reach my dreams,” Courtney told me after her fight with Orszagi. All the frustrations of this year should be replaced by genuine hope for a new beginning as we head into the new year.

Photo Credit: Dave Thompson/Matchroom Boxing