She has been dubbed the ‘one-minute wonder’ for her ability to crush her opponents so quickly in the boxing ring but the London lightweight – sister of WBA regular heavyweight champion Daniel – is surely destined to be one of the greatest fighters to come out of the UK.
After five fights and five wins, four by knockout, the 21-year-old is putting her feet up for Christmas – but is already eyeing a step-up in the New Year and a stellar 2023.
After your destructive stoppage of Sofia Rodriguez on Saturday, do you get to relax and have some time off?
For two weeks, I have go-crazy time – something which I never have usually! I get the chance to relax. We’re not that traditional in my family but Dad likes to cook a turkey. I’m so happy I have a bit of a break but I know I will be waiting to get back in the gym. Having a day to yourself as a pro is just weird! After about a week of no training, you’re ready to get back into some running and before you know it, you’re back doing hardcore sparring.
When you get opponents out so fast, do you feel a bit unfulfilled in terms of ring time?
No, I see it as I’ve done a full camp, trained completely at 100 per cent so my body is tired, and it’s been a busy year. So, when a fight lasts one or two rounds, it goes to show hard I’ve been training. She’d never been stopped before. I loved Bournemouth – it’s an amazing place and especially when I fought there in July the weather was nice and the beach is great. I’d never been there before fighting there.
You end a busy year with such a great record, how did you view 2022?
Five KOs would have been nice! I look at the guys I enjoy watching in the sport like [unified world welterweight champion] Errol Spence, exciting fighters, and I’d hate to be someone who just goes out there and does just enough. I look to give 110 per cent and I’m very happy to be able to end the year with a record like this.
You said after your win at the weekend you fancy a step-up now. Who’s going to be next?
I’m not getting big-headed and my next fight in the new year is going to be against Yamila Belen Abellaneda from Argentina, who fought [WBA and IBO super-welterweight world champion] Terri Harper in March and gave her eight very tough rounds. She’s lost five times and has never been stopped. I want a step-up in opponent and quality – if I can still stop them, then amazing. Five fights again next year would be great and I would like to end 2023 with a world title.
You’ve also spoken about trying to get a world-title shot against Ireland’s two-weight world champion Katie Taylor. Is that going to be possible before she retires?
She might not feel the need to hang around if she fights Amanda Serrano again at Croke Park in the New Year. Plus, I feel Natasha Jonas, Jessica McCaskill, Chantelle Cameron, Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner are in front of me in the queue to fight her, and Katie will have her mandatory challengers. But if the chance came up, I’d take it. I’ve always felt there’s no point in being scared of somebody.
It feels like despite your young age, you’re in a hurry.
I want to move fast and I miss the amateurs, where you can fight five times in a week at a tournament, let alone five times a year. When you win it’s an amazing feeling and I want to climb the ladder. It’s about steps and I don’t want to hang around. I hate to see people who have been in the pro game longer than me happy just to sit and keep their record.
What was it like transitioning from amateur to pro this year?
I’d say it took some getting used to. It was only really after I beat Milena Koleva at the O2 in London in October that I felt like a professional. Before that, I was like a kid in a candy shop. Now I feel like I belong here.
And are you getting used to having a higher profile?
Me and my sister went into London’s West End and a guy ran up to me and said: ‘did you fight the other day?’. I didn’t expect that. It was the first time and it was random!
Any advice from Daniel on how to handle the attention?
He just said to me: ‘If you see any cameras, just run!’
MORE : Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez congratulates Argentina on World Cup win following shirt row with Lionel Messi
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
