Emma Dolan vs. Shannon Ryan: Big Fight Preview
It might not get the traction it deserves, but the rematch on Saturday night at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield between Emma Dolan and Shannon Ryan is a highly intriguing fight with genuine world title implications. The British, Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental super-flyweight titles will be on the line. But there is a personal rivalry to settle. The winner should get a world title shot at some point next year. The stakes are that high.
Dolan (9-1) got a deserved split-decision victory over Ryan the first time around. A 2024 showdown between two unbeaten fighters that is somewhat of a forgotten gem. Ryan was down late in the 2nd round, and more than arguably, she was saved by the bell. But Ryan rallied down the stretch and very nearly saved her unbeaten record. The split verdict was probably a little harsh on Dolan, who I thought won beyond doubt. But Ryan, even in defeat, proved more than a few points.
Ryan (11-1) made changes to her inner circle after suffering her reversal in the pro ranks. The 29-year-old rebuilt her confidence and now looks like a reborn fighter. A stoppage victory over Kate Radomska was followed by a hard-earned win over Fara El Bousair in 2025. Ryan had to pick herself up off the floor in the 3rd round. For context, El Bousair hasn’t lost since and will fight for the European super-flyweight title next month. It’s a win for Ryan that looks a lot better now than it did at the time.
Last year ended with a technical decision win over the former European flyweight champion Chloe Watson. It concluded prematurely after just four rounds, after an accidental head clash left Watson bloodied and unable to fight on. Ryan had won all four completed rounds and looked incredibly impressive in doing so. Watson will argue that the fight didn’t reach a natural conclusion, but from what we saw, Ryan had never looked better.
Ryan continued her good form in May, when she blew away the former Commonwealth and IBO flyweight champion Nicola Hopewell in two one-sided rounds. It was a powerful display, albeit against a fighter who was clearly undersized, and probably a little out of her depth. Recent form indicates that Shannon Ryan is a much better fighter now compared to what she was two years ago. Ryan will be better. Dolan will need to raise her performance also.
Dolan rides into the rematch looking to repeat her previous victory, and with a grim determination to get back into world title contention. Ryan is now the IBF and WBO number one contender; Dolan knows that lofty ranking could be hers if she beats her domestic rival again.
Motivation is an important factor for both fighters. Revenge is often decisive. Ryan brings that to the party. But Dolan has a point to prove also, and she will be carrying thoughts of revenge as well. A win on Saturday night, and that rematch with Irma Garcia could materialise early next year.
In April, Dolan was confident of victory in her maiden world title opportunity against Irma Garcia. The odds favoured her to take away the IBF world super-flyweight title from the Mexican. But Garcia ripped up the script and stopped Dolan in three rounds. The manner of that defeat nobody saw coming. It was a devastating setback for the British hopeful.
Dolan returned in August to outpoint Antonella Shirley Molina over six rounds in Nottingham. The fight on Saturday night represents a perfect opportunity to get back much of what was lost at the Olympia in London.
But Ryan will fancy her chances of getting the win back after seeing Dolan on the floor three times in April. Recent form seems to favour Ryan. The betting odds certainly do. At 1/3, Ryan is odds-on to get that revenge. But Dolan, who is around 23/10, could be incredibly good value.
As we’ve seen previously, Ryan starts fast. The recent performances against Watson and Hopewell demonstrated that perfectly. Dolan will need to get out of the blocks quickly herself. She can’t afford to lose too many of the early rounds. In their first meeting, Dolan did exactly that. She will have to do so again. A slow start, and Dolan could be in serious trouble.
Ryan is a deserving favourite, I feel, although I do think the odds are a little unfair on Dolan. That blistering performance against Hopewell was probably the best Shannon Ryan we have ever seen. But if you ignore what Garcia did to Dolan, the odds would be a lot closer. But can we ignore that fight?
Dolan is a quality operator. Wins over Ryan, and two good-points victories over Hopewell and Lauren Parker, show her class. Dolan was excellent against Ryan two years ago. But I suspect Ryan is the more improved fighter of the two since they last fought. It will likely take a career-best performance from Dolan to get a second victory over Ryan. As the ‘away’ fighter, Dolan will know if it’s close, it might not be enough. You sense the early rounds will be key if Dolan is to win again. Ryan is riding on a wave of confidence, but if Dolan gets off early like she did in 2024, the painful scars of that night will return. It’s one of those fights where I think we will see the likely winner very quickly.
Fights like this are what women’s boxing needs. A good competitive fight where despite the odds, you can still make a case for either fighter. A fight that makes sense for both fighters. But there is real jeopardy. Neither fighter can afford a second career defeat. The reward for the winner is more than worth the risk.
Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing
