Emma Dolan vs. Shannon Ryan: A Rematch That Ticks Every Box
Sometimes a fight just makes sense. For both fighters. The rematch between Emma Dolan and Shannon Ryan is one such fight.
Dolan and Ryan will rematch on October 24th in Sheffield on a Matchroom card headlined by Dalton Smith defending his WBC world super-lightweight title against Alberto Puello. The British, Commonwealth and Intercontinental super-flyweight titles will be on the line when Dolan and Ryan run it back, with a potential world title opportunity to follow for the winner.
A lot has changed since Dolan and Ryan first shared a ring together. In June 2024, the two clashed for the British and Commonwealth super-flyweight titles. Both were unbeaten. After ten good rounds, it was Dolan who left the ring with her 0 still firmly intact. Ryan was dropped and lost her unblemished record by a split decision after ten quality rounds.
Ryan (11-1) went away and made changes to her inner circle. She has won four fights since suffering that reversal to Dolan, and is coming off two standout wins against Chloe Watson and Nicola Hopewell. I was ringside earlier this year when Ryan blew away Hopewell in two rounds in Wolverhampton. Ryan was expected to win, but nobody predicted victory would come in the manner that it did. It was beyond impressive.
Dolan (9-1) turned back the challenge of the former European champion Lauren Parker last year, and entered her maiden world title opportunity in April against Irma Garcia, the betting favourite to leave the ring the new IBF super-flyweight champion of the world. But after a decent opening round, it went disastrously wrong for Dolan. After being dropped twice in the second round and again in the third, Dolan was rescued by her corner.
It was a bitterly disappointing end to a fight that promised so much. But after a period of reflection and much soul-searching, Dolan is looking to get herself back in the world title picture.
Dolan returned on Saturday night in Nottingham, and eased back with a 60-54 points victory over Antonella Shirley Molina. Six rounds that helped to wipe away any lingering scars from the setback against Garcia in London.
Despite being back in the win column, Dolan knows she will need a little more to force her way back into the mix to challenge for world titles. That’s where her old rival comes in.
The rematch ticks many boxes. Maybe all of them. Ryan gets her chance of revenge against the only fighter to defeat her in the professional ranks. For Dolan, a repeat victory over Ryan would push her to the brink of a second tilt at a world super-flyweight title.
