Opportunity knocks – women's boxing can take centre stage
Price dominates Jonas to become unified world champion
- Published
The iconic Royal Albert Hall has hosted pugilism for over a century, welcomed key political figures and showcased musical superstars.
On Friday evening, a women's bout headlined the regal venue for the first time. About 4,000 fans witnessed Lauren Price dominate trailblazer Natasha Jonas in the main event of an all-female card.
In the chief , Caroline Dubois outpointed Bo Mi Re Shin in an entertaining battle. The self-assured world champion has the potential to make waves – in the ring and commercially - for years to come.
Karriss Artingstall became British champion by beating Raven Chapman in a featherweight contest that shows a gradual deepening of the depth of women's boxing, which has historically been lacking.
On the surface, the event - a day before International Women's Day - was a success and provides a launchpad for women's boxing in Britain to progress.
But we have been here before.
Former world champion Hannah Rankin feels women's boxing failed to capitalise on the momentum created by Savannah Marshall v Claressa Shields in October 2022, when an all-women card packed out the O2 Arena.
"There was a real opportunity there but when big-time boxing moved to Saudi Arabia, it slowed down the progression and whole trajectory of women's boxing," she says.
Saudi Arabia continues to host high-profile men's bouts as women's boxing has generally been overlooked.
The trilogy between Irishwoman Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in New York, which will be broadcast on Netflix in June, will help grow the sport globally, but what can be done to make the female sphere take centre stage in the United Kingdom?
'I'll win at Albert Hall for the rest of my life'
I'm not a fan of all-female cards - Rankin
Pioneer of women's boxing Jane Couch, TV presenter Stacey Dooley and several female athletes packed out the majestic Kensington venue.
The Shields-Marshall card, albeit nearly two-and-a-half years ago, reportedly reached a peak audience of one million viewers.
"This might be controversial, but I'm just not a fan [of all-female cards] and I never have been," Scotland's Rankin says.
She feels mixed-gender cards rather than segregating the two codes will attract more interest.
"I think if promoters are smart, they will start pushing women from where they're from," Rankin adds.
Price has competed in Wales just once in nine pro bouts while London's highly talented unified super-bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney's past two fights have taken place on undercards in Manchester and Nottingham.
"Can Ellie be given an opportunity to sell out a smaller venue in London">