Nicola Hopewell eyes upset against Shannon Ryan
Nicola Hopewell is gearing up to take on Shannon Ryan
The odds are against Nicola Hopewell when she takes on Shannon Ryan.
The Sheffield-trained fighter enters the contest as a clear outsider, with bookmakers pricing Ryan as short as 1/3 favourite, while Hopewell is available at around 3/1.
In simple terms, Ryan is expected to win - and a Hopewell victory would be regarded as a surprise.
Yet the bout presents a genuine opportunity for the 34-year-old, who has built momentum through a five-fight winning streak and arrives with proven championship experience.
A comparison of the two underlines both the challenge and the possibility.
Ryan, 29, brings a 10-1 professional record and is the current IBF inter-continental super-flyweight champion. She last boxed in October, when she claimed that belt at York Hall.
She is known for her high-tempo, aggressive approach and has been developed on major cards under Matchroom Boxing.
Hopewell’s route has been different.
The Worksop fighter, who trains at Woodhouse Boxing Club-Sheffield Kings, holds an 8-1 record and has won her last five contests, including a 10-round victory to claim world honours in Sheffield last summer.
That recent distance success is significant - it confirms she is comfortable over the championship length, something Ryan can also point to, having gone ten rounds in her defeat to Newark’s Emma Dolan.
Both fighters share that connection to Dolan, who handed each of them their only professional defeat.
Hopewell was outpointed over ten rounds in 2023, while Ryan lost a split decision in a British and Commonwealth title fight the following year.
It offers a useful reference point - and suggests the gap between the pair may not be as wide as the odds imply.
There are, however, key differences in activity and momentum.
Ryan has boxed twice in the past year, while Hopewell has been out of the ring for approximately nine months since her title-winning performance at Skate Central.
That inactivity reflects the difficulties she has faced securing the right fights despite holding championship status.
Stylistically, the contest could hinge on tempo.
Ryan typically works at a fast pace, applying pressure and throwing in volume, while Hopewell can display a more measured approach, relying on timing and ring craft.
For Daz Medcalf-trained Hopewell, the stakes are clear.
Victory would elevate her standing significantly - adding titles in a second weight class and placing her firmly in the mix for bigger promotional opportunities on major platforms.
Beating a Matchroom-backed fighter on one of their shows would represent a major moment in her career.
Defeat, meanwhile, would not carry the usual consequences for a world champion.
Her IBO world flyweight title is not on the line, with this contest taking place at super-flyweight for separate honours, meaning she can pursue further success without risking the belt she won in Sheffield.
All of which leaves Hopewell in a position fighters often welcome - high reward, limited downside, and the chance to challenge expectations.
On paper, Ryan’s youth, activity and promotional backing make her the favourite.
Inside the ring, Hopewell’s experience, recent championship distance win and resilience suggest she should not be underestimated.
Did you know?
Hopewell has already tested herself outside boxing, appearing on ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK.
Ryan’s combat sports background includes elite-level taekwondo with Team GB before switching to boxing