Megan Redstall vs. Maiseyrose Courtney Clash on February 15th

Megan Redstall vs. Maiseyrose Courtney Clash on February 15th

‘When you have good fights on your own doorstep, why go further afield? Good fighters need good fights with real meaning. I have never understood the obsession with importing fighters from abroad when there are more meaningful fights far closer to home.’

These were my words from an article earlier this week. Megan Redstall and Maiseyrose Courtney will fight each other on February 15th, in a ten-round title fight that carries significant meaning. And importance.

Redstall and Courtney will clash in a bantamweight title fight; the actual title is yet to be confirmed, but the vacant Commonwealth bauble looks the most likely belt that will be on the line at the Brentwood Centre on a Top Tier card live on DAZN. Boxrec are already advertising it as a fight for the vacant Commonwealth belt.

Redstall and Courtney deserve immense credit for rolling the dice. Both could have gone in a much safer direction. They will know that either of them could lose on a night that will propel the winner onto even bigger things. There is risk. There is a reward. Winner moves up. The loser can come again.

It is a fight that ticks every box imaginable. Two up-and-coming fighters who have genuine ambitions of challenging for world titles down the line. If women’s boxing is to thrive and not merely survive, competitive fights like this are a must.

The unbeaten Redstall (6-0-1) should have been fighting Laura Pain for the Commonwealth bantamweight title last month until Pain pulled out with an injury in Fight Week. Redstall had to settle for a stay-busy fight against Klaudia Ferenczi. Redstall impressed in beating Ferenczi over six one-sided rounds.

Since losing her unbeaten record to Jasmina Zapotoczna last year, Courtney (9-1) has been frustrated by injury and three fights that didn’t satisfy her lofty ambitions. After her win over Sara Orszagi earlier this month, Courtney told FightPost, “I want the fights that put me in a position where I can reach my dreams.” Her wish has been granted. At 25, Courtney is heading into her prime, and the fight with her 24-year-old opponent gives her the chance to get back what was lost against Zapotoczna last year.

Megan Redstall and Maiseyrose Courtney is a good fight between two good fighters. Others should follow their example.