Ringside Report: Heartbreak For Emma Dolan

Ringside Report: Heartbreak For Emma Dolan

It was a result – and the manner of it – that nobody saw coming.

Emma Dolan was the betting favourite to win her first world title. The 44-year-old Mexican, Irma Garcia, defended her IBF super-flyweight title against Dolan at the Olympia in London on Sunday night and was widely expected to go home without it.

Garcia had been largely inactive of late. Stoppages on her record were scarce, certainly in recent times. The fight with Dolan was expected to go deep – a fight where the judges would be needed. Dolan was favoured to win on points. But Garcia didn’t read the script. In truth, I don’t think any of us did.

“I just didn’t see that coming, not in a million years.” Those were the words of Carl Greaves, who just seconds earlier had thrown in the towel to end his fighter’s first world title opportunity. Dolan was still throwing punches at the end, still desperately trying to salvage her night. A born fighter, she kept swinging right until the moment the white towel landed on the canvas. The heart of the brave warrior sank. At that moment, all hope was gone. At least for now.

As Greaves said, it was totally unexpected. Dolan had won the opening round with some degree of comfort until one looping left hand staggered her and, in a slightly delayed manner, she crumpled to the canvas. It was out of the blue. Nobody saw it coming. Those words again. Media row was stunned at the sight of Dolan on the canvas. She bravely got up. “I’m one tough bastard,” Dolan had told me earlier in the week. Even in defeat, she proved that point.

Dolan would have been better served trying to buy some much-needed time – to grab and hold. Instead, she tried to fight fire with fire. But the Mexican champion caught her again, and the British fighter tasted the canvas once more. The bell saved her.

The one-minute interval was a brief respite for Dolan. Garcia had her over again and, despite once more getting up in another act of defiance, the end was near. Greaves had the towel ready in his hand, and when his fighter was staggered once more, he threw it in to save her for another day. At 27, Emma Dolan will indeed have another day.

It was a distressing sight as Dolan left the ring, crying on the shoulder of her mother, visibly heartbroken. There was no shame in it – only the heartbreaking pain of defeat. Dolan had worked so hard and waited so long. It wasn’t supposed to end like this.

But there is hope for the 27-year-old. Dolan is still the British and Commonwealth super-flyweight champion. She could defend those belts or try to add the European title to her collection. Dolan defeated Shannon Ryan – the only fighter to do so – so a rematch is a potential option. There are other routes available too. A few wins and Emma Dolan should be back knocking on the door for another tilt at the world title. All Dolan needs is time. She has that.

Photo Credit: Most Valuable Promotions