“FRAN HENNESSY comes from British boxing royalty – but her famous dad didn’t want her anywhere near the ring. Bantamweight prospect Hennessy tops the bill of Boxxer’s second show on the BBC this weekend, which takes place at the Copperbox Arena. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Fran Hennessy top the Boxxer bill”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Bantamweight prospect Hennessy tops the bill of Boxxer’s second show on the BBC this weekend, which takes place at the Copperbox Arena.
Thank you!
Fran Hennessy top the Boxxer bill at the Copperbox Arena on Saturday nightCredit: REUTERS
The 21-year-old takes on fellow undefeated Brit Ellie BouttellCredit: BOXXER Her headline spot, the result of injuries to original main eventers Adam Azim and Gustavo Lemos, will not only allow her to reach a whole new audience on the national broadcaster.
It’ll also provide her the chance to move a massive step closer to fighting for the WBC bantamweight strap.
But her boxing career wouldn’t have got off the ground had her old man, former promoter Mick Hennessy, had his way.
Fran told The Daily Star: “My dad knew I had talent, but he didn’t want me to be involved because he knows how hard this sport is.”
Mick, who promoted former super-middleweight and heavyweight champions Carl Froch and Tyson Fury, didn’t want the life of an aspiring boxer for his daughter having seen several prospects come and go.
But after an emotional and heartfelt chat, he relented and decided to help Fran on her journey in the sport.
She said: “I sat him down and told him I really do love the sport and I’ve got a passion for it.
“My dad said, ‘If this is your dream then I’ll help you through it but you need to be 100 per cent.
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Fran Hennessy is the daughter of former British boxing promoter Mick HennessyCredit: REUTERS
Mick Hennessy used to promoter former two-time heavyweight champion Tyson FuryCredit: SUNSPORT “Because you can’t mess around in a sport like boxing.’”
Mick no longer has reservations about Fran’s abilities following her 7-0 start to live as a pro, although he still, as any parent would, has concerns for her safety.
She said: “It’s scary for him as a parent. He believes in my talent and I believe in my talent.
“I just trust my dad with everything. Whatever he tells me goes. I know how well he knows the sport.
He didn’t want me to be involved because he knows how hard this sport is.”Fran Hennessy
“With my dad and trainer Bradley Skeete, I’ve got amazing experience behind me.”
Fran’s first outing of the year will see her through down with fellow Brit Ellie Bouttell for the vacant WBC Silver bantamweight strap.
She said: “Ellie’s a very good fighter, she’s undefeated as well.
“But I just feel like the form I’m in at the minute nobody’s beating me.”
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
Tyson Fury is expected to make his return, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora could fight for the 50th and final time and Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Up first we have a massive fight with Stateside superstars Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez meeting later this month in Madison Square Garden.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
January
- Sat 24 – Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz – IBF lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson – WBO super-lightweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 31 – Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – IBF super-welterweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell – BBC2
February
- Sat 7 – Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa – WBA featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
- Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
- Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN