Sian O’Toole honoured at this year’s Midlands Area Awards
Sian O’Toole (3-0) is riding high after winning the Midlands Area featherweight title and will box for the first time since that career best performance on BCB’s ‘Havoc At The Hangar VIII’ show in Wolverhampton on March 8th.
Such is the 24-year-old’s talent and confidence that she and her team decided to take on the shot at the vacant belt against Stoke’s Beccy Ferguson after just two previous professional bouts, both just six-rounders.
It was a calculated gamble that paid off, and the full-time teacher from Droitwich looked every bit like a quality prospect stepping up to the championship distance, coming away with a 98-92 points victory and an early Christmas present for her son Michael in the form of the Midlands title belt.
It wasn’t completely plain sailing, as O’Toole had to handle a nasty cut above her eye sustained during the middle rounds that was well managed by trainer Paul Mann.
“To win my first ten rounder and my first title, I was buzzing, said O’Toole. I haven’t watched it back in an analytical way, as I don’t want to overthink things, but I felt I did the distance comfortably.
“The cut was a strange one, as yes, it did hurt a bit, of course, but I was more concerned about the doctor stopping the fight. I didn’t realise it would go to the cards as there are different rules for amateurs, so my corner did a great job of keeping the situation calm, and I finished the fight strongly. I had to have eight stitches and spent most of the night in A&E, which wasn’t ideal, but it’s healed really well, which means I can box sooner than we expected.”
At the annual Midlands Area Awards, O’Toole took home the female prospect of the year award beating stiff competition in the form of unbeaten duo Tori-Ellis Willets and Paige Goodyear.
“I was so proud to win the award, as I knew how good the other nominees in the category were. I have sparred with Tori for years, know how talented she is, and have seen Paige plenty as an amateur. I don’t think there are many boxers, male or female, who will have won an area title as quickly as me, and I know there is a long way to go, but I’m already well ranked and want to grab these opportunities when they come my way.”
BoxRec already has O’Toole at #3 in the country at featherweight, and given the speed at which female fighters can progress, more title shots could be heading her way soon. Not one to take an opponent; likely, she knows the talk of TV fights and belts would hit a major stumbling block if she doesn’t get the job done on March 8th.
“It would have been good to get a title defence in, but I am just happy to be so active and getting on the earliest available date after my cut. TV may be where the big money is, but I don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight, and at the moment, being active is the most important thing. I’m a massive believer in having a positive mindset. I am fully focused on my goals in the sport and making Michael proud of his Mum.”