Shannon Courtenay wants to follow in the footsteps of Katie Taylor and Anthony Joshua
Watford bantamweight wants the same success as Taylor and the following of Joshua
Shannon Courtenay is ready to announce herself in the professional ranks after calling time on a stellar amateur career that saw her win gold at the 2015 Haringey Box Cup and pick up the Southern Area Featherweight title in 2016.
The Watford Bantamweight makes her long-awaited pro debut at London’s Copper Box Arena on March 23, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US, and believes now is the perfect time to begin life in the paid code as she sets out on her journey to become a World Champion.“Now is the perfect time to turn pro, 100 per cent,” said Courtenay. “Katie Taylor is leading the way over here at the moment and you’ve got Claressa Shields and Christina Hammer fighting soon. Women’s boxing has completely changed over the past few years and it’s getting bigger and bigger, that’s why I’m turning professional now. It’s only right that I strike while the iron is hot.
“I have a pro style and I'm confident that I'll adjust to the pro game quickly. I’m ready to put my own name out there, not just in women’s professional boxing but all of professional boxing. I want to make a big name for myself and it all starts at the Copper Box Arena on March 23.
“I’m training with Adam Booth and Charlie Beatt now and they’re both incredible coaches. Adam’s got a fantastic track record of numerous World Champions like David Haye and George Groves. He’s trained the best and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.
With men’s WBA Super, IBF, WBO and IBO World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua OBE coming from just around the corner in Watford, Courtenay has seen the levels of support he has received from his hometown fans and hopes they will get behind her in the same way.
“I’ve known Joshua for quite a few years now and it definitely makes you feel like anything’s possible. The great thing about it is you see how much Watford has got behind him. I really hope they can do the same with me. If I can get even half the support he’s got it will only propel me to bigger things.”
Courtenay makes her pro debut on a huge night of boxing at the Copper Box Arena.
Main event sees Charlie Edwards make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Spain’s Angel Moreno.
Rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi takes on Liam Conroy for the vacant British title in his tenth fight.
London Cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho collide with the British and Cruiserweight titles on the line.
Lewis Ritson makes his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring after suffering a first career loss to Francesco Patera last October and Newport Bantamweight talent Sean McGoldrick fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore.