Fran Hennessy: Beyond The Ropes

Fran Hennessy: Beyond The Ropes

Fran Hennessy has big dreams. Very big dreams. The 21-year-old wants to eclipse Gabriela Fundora as the youngest ever undisputed world champion in the four-belt era. Hennessy has around a year to make that a reality.

The unbeaten bantamweight takes the next step in her career on Saturday night, live on the BBC. Hennessy will fight the Italian Aurora De Persio at Wembley Arena in London. A victory will push Hennessy to the fringes of a world title opportunity. Cherneka Johnson defends her undisputed status against Dina Thorslund in August. Hennessy will have eyes on the winner.

But before any talk of what lies ahead, Hennessy has a job to do first this weekend. Persio (8-1) has one of those impressive-looking records. But closer inspection tells a slightly different story. Her resume somewhat flatters to deceive. Giacoma Cordio beat her in 2024, but was stopped in the rematch. The wins on her record are against low-grade opposition. Hennessy is by some distance the best fighter she has faced to date.

Hennessy (8-0) is coming off that tough fight against Ellie Bouttell in January. Bouttell pushed her hard at the Copper Box Arena. From ringside, I had Hennessy edging it. I thought it was a really good performance from Hennessy. Bouttell is world-class, and I believe the young starlet came of age that night.

Persio is no Bouttell. Hennessy is 1/12 to win. I can’t make any cash for the upset. Hennessy will gain a little more experience and will have a much easier night against Persio than she did against Bouttell. I fully expect Hennessy to win wide on the cards.

If Hennessy does go home still unbeaten and can squeeze in another fight later in the summer, she could very easily get her opportunity to be the youngest ever undisputed champion, either late in the year or more likely, early next year. Johnson and Thorslund will decide who is the true undisputed bantamweight champion in August. But Fran Hennessy will be waiting in the wings for the winner.

Photo Credit: Chris Dean/Boxxer