Beyond The Ropes: Francesca Hennessy

Beyond The Ropes: Francesca Hennessy

It was incredibly hard-earned. An opponent who came with plenty of ambition. Highly ranked. Unbeaten. Ellie Bouttell left her adopted home in China and very nearly upset the upward trajectory of Francesca Hennessy.

Bouttell was always a danger. Her resume told us that. Written off by many. The pre-fight odds a long way removed from reality. A 29-year-old at her physical peak, fighting a 21-year-old who still has room for growth. But it was the night when Hennessy came of age. Despite the real danger of defeat, the young prospect never broke. Bouttell was a constant threat. Hennessy wasn’t given a second to feel comfortable. This time, there was no showboating. Hennessy just had to fight.

The facial features showed the visible signs of battle. Hennessy tasted her own blood. A Saturday night at the Copper Box Arena in London, where the realities of professional boxing at the top level were so clearly highlighted. Ellie Bouttell wasn’t the normal opponent who lacked ambition in the ‘away’ corner. Ben Shalom and Boxxer took a calculated gamble. Maybe they didn’t realise how much they were rolling the dice. A final eliminator for the WBC world bantamweight title should carry risk. And it did.

There were moments in the fight, especially in the 5th round, when you wondered if Bouttell would be physically too strong for an opponent who is still developing her strength. But when Hennessy desperately needed to stand and fight, she found that little bit of something to edge past a very good opponent. Good fighters do that. The difference between winning and losing.

Apart from the opening round, which Hennessy dominated quite brilliantly from the outside, it was a fight that took place in the pocket. Hennessy didn’t get her tactics wrong; she had no choice but to stand there and trade. Bouttell deserves credit. But so does Hennessy. Sometimes you have to win ugly. Sometimes you just have to win.

Hennessy had her hand raised in victory after ten hard learning rounds. A majority points decision that went her way. There would have been relief alongside the euphoria of victory. The toughest test of her career was safely negotiated. Just. A little gut check passed. Hennessy can now look forward to more of the same. The fighting apprenticeship is now over. Prospect to a genuine world title contender in twenty long, hard minutes. The easy nights are now a thing of the past.

Cherneka Johnson holds all the world bantamweight titles. The former undisputed world champion Dina Thorslund made a successful return on the same night Hennessy graduated to another level, and will likely face Johnson later this year. Hennessy will have to wait a little for her chance at undisputed glory. But that will serve her well. Another fight or two before fighting either Johnson or Thorslund will be of much benefit. In many ways, Hennessy will grow further. The chances of victory on the world stage will increase the longer the wait. There is no rush, despite the obvious and understandable temptation to do exactly that.

Francesca Hennessy, now unbeaten in eight professional fights, will have to wait in line. But that’s no bad thing. Experience is key. Bouttell pushed her hard, and she will have regrets of her own. Another couple of learning fights, and Hennessy might well be celebrating an even bigger night within the next twelve months. It was a night where Francesca Hennessy proved plenty. Maybe even more to herself.

Photo Credit: Chris Dean/Boxxer