Sky Sports & MVP: A New Beginning for Women’s Boxing

Sky Sports & MVP: A New Beginning for Women’s Boxing

Sky Sports is back in boxing. Most Valuable Promotions is entering the UK market. A Friday afternoon press conference at the Olympia in London that launched a brand new start.

The Olympia is under extensive renovation. A project to restore the old complex to its former glory and to bring it back to relevance in the modern age. Maybe there is something similar being done by both promoter and broadcaster for the female side of the sport, who decided to formally announce their first show together in a room overlooking the large grand hall, which lay deserted below.

Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper were trading barbs in promotion of their Easter Sunday showdown live on Sky Sports. An all-British world lightweight unification showdown that has a real edge to it. Ellie Scotney looking relaxed, enjoying the spotlight that has so often been denied her. One fight away from going undisputed at super-bantamweight. A year ago, her career was very different. What a difference a year makes.

Chantelle Cameron has already tasted the feeling of being undisputed, but after a few years in the boxing wilderness, her career is on the up again. Cameron is now back ‘home’ with Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis, a world title opportunity at 154 awaits on April 5th. A little stopgap before the really big nights arrive again. Mikaela Mayer is on her radar. Cameron and Mayer would deliver. Don’t rule it out. Cameron is happy again. The missing pieces in her career are now seemingly all in place.

Emma Dolan finally had the spotlight. Trust me, she didn’t look out of place. Confident on the microphone. In many ways, Dolan belongs on this stage. A long-awaited world title fight has finally been delivered. The IBF super-flyweight champion Irma Garcia has been tempted to the Olympia in London. The unbeaten Dolan has been fighting in the shadows for too long. Good wins against good fighters didn’t get the recognition Dolan deserved. But that could be about to change. Unlike Dubois, Harper, Scotney, and Cameron, Emma Dolan isn’t signed to Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions. You sense the fight with Garcia is her audition to remain at that top table. A high-stakes job interview that she is unlikely to fail.

Away from the bright lights of the top table, Tysie Gallagher was almost anonymous towards the rear of yesterday’s press conference to formally announce MVP’s first entry into the UK market. But her moment of truth will arrive in April. Gallagher will feature on the undercard. Like Dolan, it will be an audition for something more. Like Dolan, she has always been undervalued and underappreciated. Like Dolan, Gallagher is a British and Commonwealth champion. Gallagher is a world-class super-bantamweight. A wafer-thin near miss in a world title fight in 2023. Gallagher is a much better fighter now. If, as expected, Scotney goes undisputed against Mayelli Flores and moves up to featherweight, all the super-bantamweight titles will then splinter. Gallagher is more than capable of picking a few of them up in the months to come.

Elizabeth Oshoba and Shannon Courtenay will also feature on the undercard. Oshoba looking to introduce herself to the masses. Oshoba wants world titles, Courtenay wants to taste them again. The former WBA bantamweight champion was teasing something at super-flyweight and the fringe IBO belt is currently vacant, and another fight with Ebanie Bridges was also mentioned. Nina Hughes wants to fight Courtenay, but she will likely not get her wish. After overcoming a difficult period in her life, Courtenay is in demand again. She looks determined to make up for lost time. But certain doubts remain. The comeback fights haven’t convinced. There is work to do if she is to enjoy a second reign as a world champion. But she deserves immense credit for even getting her career back on track after what she has gone through over the last few years.

Tamm Thibeault, the undefeated middleweight sensation, was also present for the MVP media obligations. Thibeault has the look of a superstar. The Canadian has power in those hands. Four wins, three by stoppage, Thibeault should make up the numbers on the undercard. But she seems destined for much more down the road.

Friday afternoon’s press conference had the look of a new beginning for women’s boxing and Sky Sports. A mutual understanding that they need each other in the current climate. A new working relationship that should deliver what they both need. Potentially, even more for the female side of the sport. A card that is a nice blend of the established stars of women’s boxing and a little taste of the stars of the future. The perfect balance.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Most Valuable Promotions