Siobhan Haley: “I would like to go to the Olympics in 2032, just to say I was an Olympian.”

Siobhan Haley: “I would like to go to the Olympics in 2032, just to say I was an Olympian.”

The England international Siobhan Haley had four fights in Germany and came home with her second European title. A unanimous points decision over the Hungarian Zsofia Kiss earned Haley the U17 title. A fighter with incredibly high ambitions, Haley looks to have everything she needs to reach the very pinnacle of her sport.

After winning a European title two years ago, Haley just fell short last year, but she put that experience to good use earlier this month in Germany. “I won it as a schoolgirl in 2023, but last year I fell short in the semi-finals against a Russian girl,” Haley told FightPost over Zoom. “But obviously, I went back and won it again this year.”

Haley attributes her success to the hard work that she puts in behind closed doors in the gym. “The amount of training I had done showed in the ring,” Haley told me. “The fights I had in the tournament were not easy at all, but because of the amount of training I had done, the fights felt easier. I turned up with my best performances, and the tournament went the way I wanted it to.”

After another successful year behind her, Haley is looking ahead to an even better 2026. “Hopefully, because I have won the European title and performed well, I will now get selected to go to Thailand for the World Cup for the qualifiers for the Youth Olympics next year.”

In forty-nine fights, Haley has only suffered defeat on four occasions. A plethora of titles to her name already, including being a three-time national champion, success in the ring has been a constant for the 16-year-old. But when she first started, it was just for a bit of fun. Something to do. “When I first started boxing, it was just like a hobby,” Haley says. “It wasn’t about winning championships or anything like that. It was just to go, really.”

That success has been hard-earned, and Haley is thankful for the part her father has played in her rise through the ranks. “If it wasn’t for my dad being here and running me about, none of it would be possible. I can never get sparring in my own gym; I always have to travel. So obviously, my dad has to take me. He takes me all over the country to get fights and more experience.”

Tiah-Mai Ayton turned professional at 18, leaving a potential Olympic selection behind her. The temptation to turn professional was too hard to resist for Ayton. But Haley is seemingly focused on Olympic glory, rather than any immediate thoughts of joining Ayton in the pro ranks. “If I do go to the Youth Olympics next year, and I win a gold medal, then maybe I would then turn over. But I don’t really see myself turning over until I am at least in my 20s.

“I would like to go to the Olympics in 2032, just to say I was an Olympian. It is a big thing to say that you have been to the Olympics. I do want to get there. There are the European and World Championships, plus the Youth Olympics next year, and if I do well, then hopefully, I can get a GB assessment.”