In Focus: Shannon Courtenay
- Dean Wigzell
- Jan 26, 2017
- 3 min read
Women’s boxing has taken a large leap into the spotlight in the UK over recent years and whilst the likes of Katie Taylor and Nicola Adams are receiving attention on a national level, in a small corner of Hertfordshire Shannon ‘The Baby Face Assassin’ Courtenay is patiently waiting for her moment to explode on the big stage.
Since first lacing up a pair of gloves just over 2 years ago Courtenay, who competes in the 57kg weight class, has accomplished a lot, winning gold at the International Box Cup and more recently the Southern Area Championship.
What is clear when speaking to the Watford fighter is that she is highly ambitious and has set her sights high, beginning with the 2017 ABA’s and ending with a world title.
‘It’s the first time I’ve entered these championships, so I’m really looking forward to it! My ultimate ambition is to turn professional and win a world title.’
The urge to turn professional is one that 23 year old Courtenay was willing to put on the back burner until recently.
‘My ultimate goal used to be to go to the 2020 Olympics and win gold but it’s looking more and more likely that my weight category won’t be in the 2020 games.
The way I feel about the amateur scene at the moment, the pro ranks are definitely more appealing to me and if you ask anybody that has ever watched me fight- I’m much more suited to the pro ranks.’
One man that can testify to that is current IBF Heavyweight Champion of the world, fellow Watford native and former gym mate Anthony Joshua, whose influence on Courtenay is clear to see.
‘Femi (the name Joshua is known by locally) has given me some great advice that I take on in and outside of boxing and It’s great to have that sort of inspiration around you, it definitely pushes you further!’
And Courtenay is as equally confident in Joshua’s ability as she seems to be her own, ‘I believe he can become the unified world champion’.
Rumours are already circulating on social media that Frank Warren has expressed an interest in signing Courtenay when she decides to switch to the paid ranks, where she would be able to count Nicola Adams, the world’s first female Olympic champion, amongst her stable mates.
Adams, who herself has just signed her first professional deal, is currently flying the flag for women’s boxing alongside Katie Taylor and it’s clear that they act as inspiration for Courtenay.
‘Katie Taylor has achieved everything in amateur boxing and now she’s looking to do the same in the pro ranks and she has really opened up a lot of people’s eyes to women’s boxing. She’s definitely making a great impression as a pro and hopefully soon I’ll make my own impression on the pro scene’.
Despite this increase in profile that women’s boxing has enjoyed of late, Courtenay also has a message for those who continue to cast aspersions on the game.
‘I think people really need to get with the times and whether you like it or not women’s boxing is becoming huge. We deserve to be on that sort of platform, just as the men do! I’ve shocked a lot of people by the way that I box because I’m very much a girly girl who has her nails done, wears dresses and always has her hair and makeup done but I’m a whole different person when them gloves are on. My boxing talent shouldn’t be labelled by my gender.’
It is clear from speaking to Watford’s next big prospect that her speaking game is almost identical to how she describes herself in the ring; ‘an aggressive, strong come forward fighter. I’m relentless in the ring and definitely fight with my heart and leave absolutely everything in the ring.’
She says that the best advice she has ever received is ‘if you cheat in training, you get found out in the ring’ and it is clear that the only thing that will get found out about Shannon Courtenay is that she is destined to make a big impact in a growing sport.
In Focus
Name: Shannon Courtenay
Hometown: Watford
Alias: The Babyface Assassin
Weight class: 57kg
Hero: Roberto Duran
Shannon Courtenay should be in the ring again in March, for more details follow her on Twitter at @scourtenay .
Picture courtesy of @scourtenay
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