Beyond The Ropes: Nicola Hopewell

Beyond The Ropes: Nicola Hopewell

It was her big moment. The long-time dream to fight on a Matchroom show had finally arrived. But last Saturday night didn’t go her way. Shannon Ryan was too much for Nicola Hopewell. Ryan stopped Hopewell in two rounds in Wolverhampton. But despite the obvious disappointment and the manner of her stoppage defeat to Ryan, it can still be a catalyst for a new beginning for Hopewell.

There are no regrets for Hopewell. She knew the calibre of fighter she was facing. The number one-ranked super-flyweight in the world according to the IBF. Ryan was too big and too good for a fighter who had left the relative comforts of her flyweight division to fight Ryan live on DAZN. Starved of opportunities in her weight class, Hopewell took a chance to move back up to super-flyweight. A roll of the dice that could have changed her life. A career-high payday with the potential for more. It didn’t end well, but Hopewell will now move on with experience gained and memories made.

Ryan highlighted that Hopewell doesn’t belong at super-flyweight. Emma Dolan told her that a few years ago. Ryan told her that again, but in far more devastating fashion. Hopewell was dropped heavily in the second round. The shock was plainly visible on Hopewell’s face. Nobody saw that coming. Literally. A wake-up call should now follow. It wasn’t just about size and power. There are defensive frailties that Ryan exposed that need to be worked on and ironed out. A move back to flyweight or even lower is needed, but so is a touch of honesty. There are technical flaws. But nothing that can’t be fixed in the right hands. Hopewell is a good fighter, but she has the potential to be a better one.

Hopewell is a former Commonwealth and IBO flyweight champion. Those baubles have now gone. Inactivity, boxing politics, and the chance to fight Shannon Ryan on the big show have seen her belts go elsewhere. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Free from certain obligations, the 34-year-old can now plot her boxing future without the restrictions that come with a champion status.

The Worksop fighter needs a fight. She needs a win. Any win. Hopewell wants to fight again as soon as possible. A chance to get back in the win column, to put her second professional defeat behind her. A win edges her a little closer to more meaningful fights. Now is not the time to roll the dice once again.

Despite that defeat to Ryan, all is not lost for Hopewell. There are good domestic fights at flyweight for her. Chloe Watson is still an option. The Birkenhead-fighter is in a similar position to Hopewell. Watson has also moved up the weights and come up short. But a few recent defeats don’t hide her talent. A former European flyweight champion still has more to give. At some point, in the right circumstances, Watson and Hopewell could share a ring together. Even now, it’s worthy of a title of some description.

Jasmina Zapotoczna is the current European flyweight champion. Hopewell and Zapotoczna have shared many rounds together. Why they have never fought for real is beyond strange. Unbelievable even. An easy fight to make. And a good one. Surely at least one UK promoter can see that. Has it even been offered to them? But there is still time to get it done. Zapotoczna needs a fight. Another talented fighter who can’t get a fight. Sometimes boxing leaves you shaking your head in disbelief.

Megan Redstall and Maiseyrose Courtney clash in July for the WBO International flyweight title. The likes of Watson and Zapotoczna will be looking at fighting the winner. Hopewell should also. I am of the understanding that it is a fight very much of interest to Hopewell. An obvious fight that surely should be explored by all parties. The WBO International title is a step forward. But a big domestic showdown with either Redstall or Courtney adds plenty to the party. There is intrigue and plenty of it. If Hopewell can find a fight and a victory in the coming months, she will be back in the mix for bigger fights. In boxing, memories are short. The latest fight is the one they remember.

It was a difficult night in Wolverhampton. But lessons can be learned. In many ways, they need to be. But hope is not lost for Nicola Hopewell. Defeat doesn’t have to be the end. There are options out there for her. And plenty of them. But it is about taking the right fights at the right time. Hopewell will know that better than anyone.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing