Birthday Bash: Nicola Hopewell Returns on September 5th

Birthday Bash: Nicola Hopewell Returns on September 5th

Nicola Hopewell hopes she can put the disappointment of her last fight firmly behind her and start the push for many titles. The former Commonwealth and IBO flyweight returns in September at the Magna Centre. Hopewell will be fighting a previous opponent for the first time in her professional career. Klaudia Ferenczi, who Hopewell stopped on her professional debut in 2022, will be the comeback opponent for the Worksop fighter.

Hopewell suffered the first stoppage defeat of her career in May, when she stepped up to super-flyweight to take on Shannon Ryan in Wolverhampton. Hopewell was dropped and stopped in the second round. The 34-year-old, starved of fights of any description at flyweight, rolled the dice to fight Ryan, and learned that the higher weight category just isn’t for her. Her only other professional defeat, to Emma Dolan, also came at super-flyweight.

The bout with Ferenczi should give Hopewell, who turns 35 on the day of the fight, the perfect opportunity to get back in the win column. Hopewell (8-2), with a potential opportunity against a rising star in her division in the offering, should get a confidence boost she needs against the veteran import.

Hopewell is more than a potential next opponent for Megan Redstall. I am of the understanding that fight is very much in play. The unbeaten Redstall was incredibly impressive in outpointing Maiseyrose Courtney earlier this month. A British title could be on the line if Redstall and Hopewell do meet later this year. But for that to happen, Hopewell needs to return with a win over Ferenczi.

Nicola Hopewell has only lost twice in her professional career, both at super-flyweight, and will relish the opportunity to fight Redstall at her more natural weight. Redstall vs. Hopewell is a fight that ticks many boxes for both fighters.