Unbeaten Carly Skelly clashes with Amy Timlin in first title fight
Liverpool’s Carly Skelly (3-0) challenges for the vacant Commonwealth Female super-bantamweight title against Southam’s Amy Timlin (4-0), live on Fite TV.
The unbeaten super-bantamweights will clash on Friday, October 2 at Bowler’s Exhibition Centre in Manchester.
Trained by Kieran Farrell, 20-year-old Timlin is 13 years Skelly’s junior. Nicknamed the ‘Lion Heart, she began her combat career as a kick boxer out of Wayne Elcock’s Boxing Academy at a very young age and went on to win British, European and World titles, and many other accolades, before joining the amateur boxing ranks in 2017 under the guidance of Frankie Gavin.
Boxing out of North Mersey ABC with trainer Sid Sidankey, full-time pediatric nurse Skelly only began training aged 29 to take part in a charity boxing event, which is when she discovered her natural talent. She then went on to become an ABA finalist and England representative in a very short space of time before turning pro in 2019.
Both boxers share the same previous opponent – Claudia Ferenczi (20-75-8, 10KOs). Southpaw Skelly defeated the Slovakian last in February this year at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on a Black Flash Promotions event. She won all four rounds against the centurion. Timlin conquered Claudia over six rounds at a suite in Bolton Wanderers FC’s stadium in December last year. She also won via shutout points victory.
The pair also share another common opponent in Bulgarian Roz Mari Silyanova (1-9-1). Timlin’s pro bow against Silyanova was so one-sided it was scored 40-35, and Skelly won her bout 40-36, four months later in September 2019, to move to 2-0.
A mother of two, Skelly commented on her very first title opportunity, “Winning the Commonwealth title on my fourth professional fight would mean everything to me. Only being in the sport for four-and-a-half-years would show how far I’ve come in such little time and only having 23 fights in total.”
She added, “I hope this can inspire others and show that through hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”
Skelly’s manager, Paul Stevenson, said, “This is an amazing opportunity for Carly, in a time where most boxers don’t know when their next fight may be. So, to be able to get a Commonwealth title fight is brilliant.
“Her opponent is at a similar stage in her career to Carly so it’s a great matchup and very winnable fight for Carly, who I know will be in stellar condition and looking to grab it with both hands”
Timlin simply stated, “I’ve trained hard all through lockdown and I’m buzzing to get back in there.”
Timlin’s manager Dave Coldwell told World Boxing News in an interview, “I’m certain she has what it takes to go to the highest level in boxing. She’s desperate to start climbing the ladder so she can get in that mix.”
On Timlin’s next move, Coldwell added, “Amy’s next fight will see her challenge for the Commonwealth title against Carly Skelly on October 2nd, and that’s a fight that’s going to bring the best out of her.
“Kieran Farrell is doing a brilliant job with her and it’s his show where Amy will go for her first title as a professional. Amy is a fighter that I fully believe can perform on the big stage and she’ll get the chance to do that by becoming Commonwealth champion in only her fifth fight. This is a great opportunity for her and I’m excited to watch her take this great opportunity.”
Skelly often visits her manager’s thriving Everton Red Triangle gym to spar with some of the talented lads there. Stevenson trains a septet of unbeaten professionals that include Brad Strand (4-0, 1KO); super-featherweight Nick Ball (13-0, 6KOs); featherweight Andrew Cain (6-0, 6KOs); super-flyweight Connor Butler (4-0-1, 1KO); super-middleweight Harry Woods (4-0); super-lightweight Jonathan Walsh (4-0, 1KO); and welterweight Jack McKinlay (2-0).
The undercard for Timlin-Skelly will be announced in due course.
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