Shona Whitwell: “By the end of the year, I’d like to be pushing towards titles.”

Shona Whitwell: “By the end of the year, I’d like to be pushing towards titles.”

The former amateur star Shona Whitwell will have fight number three this weekend at the
Park Inn Hotel in Northampton on a BCB Promotions card.

After leaving the amateur ranks behind and turning professional with a dominant six-round points victory over Katerina Dvorakova last April, Whitwell made a little statement in her second fight. Whitwell blew away Alisha Lewis inside a round in October at the York Hall. The 28-year-old, unbeaten super-featherweight hopeful looked like a prospect who has the makings of a fighter who could go far in her sport. Although her amateur pedigree always indicated that she would do exactly that. But any fears that she might not transition her skills to the pro ranks were firmly extinguished by the manner of her performance against Lewis. Sometimes, how you win says plenty.

The debut win over Dvorakova also showed promise. Whitwell was probably a little overeager in the opening few rounds. Trying a little too hard to impress in her maiden fight in the world of professional boxing. But once she settled down, Whitwell showed her class in winning a 60-54 decision over six good learning rounds for her.

The seven-time national amateur champion will hope Saturday night’s fight is the start of an active year for her. Just two fights in her first year as a professional fighter weren’t what she would have hoped for. In September, Whitwell shared those frustrations with me.

“I didn’t expect to be in this position,” Whitwell told me. “With the level I got to as an amateur, you’re almost set up for the paid ranks, and there’ve been plenty of males come off the same cycle as me who’ve got promotional deals in the UK. For females, though, it feels as if unless you’ve got an Olympic medal, there’s no interest. I don’t see that changing anytime soon either, so I’ll keep focusing on the smaller shows. It’s not something I necessarily agree with because I’ve worked hard all of my life to reach a certain level, and I feel like that should count for something. But for now, I need to put my ego to one side, focus on remaining active, and work my way up. I know my potential, and I’ll be noticed at some point.”

Joanna Fraszczak, a 38-year-old Polish fighter who usually fights in and around the super-lightweight division, is next for Whitwell. The frustrations of not only finding opponents, but ones in your more recognised weight category are obvious. In many ways, a sign of the times. But the former Team GB star is only looking ahead, and once Saturday night is out of the way, she is hoping the right fights come her way in 2026.

“This year I want activity mainly,” Whitwell told me this week. “My next fight will be a step up, hopefully, someone British. Then by the end of the year, I’d like to be pushing towards titles.”

Shona Whitwell should be noticed. There should be more eyes on her. There should be more fights. Hopefully, 2026 brings her what she needs. And deserves.