Top Tier Gem: Shauna Browne & Jade Burden Deliver Something Special
There was a lot to like about Sunday night’s Top Tier main event between Shauna Browne and Jade Burden. The fact that Johnny Clark yet again gave women’s boxing a headline slot should be applauded. Clark was rewarded with something special. Browne and Burden delivered a truly wonderful six rounds of back-and-forth action. But what made the night even more special was the mutual respect both fighters showed each other after the fight.
It was everything that is good about the sport. It sadly might become a forgotten gem of a fight. It shouldn’t be, and hopefully, when the media outlets reminisce about fights of the year, those six rounds that Browne (9-1) and Burden (5-1) shared together do get a mention. They should.
Browne left London a WBA Gold and IBF International lightweight champion after stopping a fiercely determined Burden in six tremendously competitive rounds.
The 32-year-old Browne got off the quicker of the two. Burden, who was stepping up from super-featherweight, was seemingly struggling with the size disadvantage. But towards the end of the second round, Browne found herself on the floor. A three-punch combination did the damage right on the bell. Browne was caught a little square, but the trajectory of the fight had suddenly changed.
Browne was undeterred and was as aggressive as ever; she recovered quickly from the knockdown in a fight that had started so quickly. But I thought Burden still took rounds three and four. Browne had a good finish to the 4th round, and even though Burden had done enough to edge the round on my card, Browne was now on the ascendancy.
Burden was badly hurt towards the end of the 5th, and Browne was starting to make her size tell. The end came in the following round when Burden was starting to ship too many heavy shots. The 35-year-old took one too many and the referee quite rightly waved the fight off. The conclusion was somewhat messy, with the two fighters falling into a clinch. But Burden was clearly hurt, and she didn’t need to take any more. The Isle of Man fighter had fought her fight, and the obvious size difference was starting to get too much for her. But she put up an incredibly spirited effort, and more than had her moments.
Browne and Burden deserve all the plaudits that they will undoubtedly receive. I think both fighters have elevated their reputations. Even in defeat, Burden has lost very little. Browne has sent another little reminder of the excitement that she brings.
Burden will drop back down to her more natural weight division. On the evidence of what we saw against Browne, she will take some beating. Hopefully, another big fight comes her way sooner rather than later. It should.
Browne moves on and is edging ever closer to a shot at the world lightweight title. Although with the division moving towards unification and undisputed showdowns in the immediate future, Browne could be a year away from fighting the very best in the 135-pound ranks. But with a little luck and help, Browne could still be manoeuvred into some big fights. After selling 500 tickets for this fight on Sunday evening, there is certainly something to work with if a major promoter comes on board, especially if she can land a major fight in her native Ireland.
