Women boxers face contrasting fight fortunes
Rianna Doforo and title-hunting Samantha Lightfoot step into the ring at the Magna Centre on Saturday
Ryan Rhodes hopes to bring some winning vibes into the camp for women fighters on his show this coming weekend.
The Sheffield boxing coach, manager and promoter was in Terri Harper's camp last weekend when she dramatically lifted herself back into world title contention on an MVP card in Birmingham.
Now he will be rooting for two other females who will be climbing into the ring at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, on Saturday.
Rhodes is expecting statement performances from up-and-coming 18-year-old Rianna Doforo, and title-hunting Samantha Lightfoot.
Sadly, though, plans for former world champion Nicola Hopewell to perform have been dashed.
"Rianna could be the next Tiah Mai Ayton, she has so much potential," said Rhodes.
"After four fights in Mexico, when she was 15-16 years old, she is now having her second in the UK and it is a title event" he said referring to the Central Area Super Featherweight contest with Hull's Chelsey Arnell.
"Talented women can be fast-tracked in boxing, and she is certainly on her way to great things.
"She is down to earth," said Rhodes, who manages her. "She lives the life and knows what she wants to achieve."
Rhodes will be keen to watch how Manor Boxing Academy's Lightfoot fares over that distance.
"It is her first fight at six rounds and she needs to get it under her belt to challenge for a central area title (against Doncaster's Billy Jarmolinski) in November.
"Saturday will be a good test for Sam, and it should be a cracking night all round."
Rhodes has had to scratch Sheffield-trained Hopewell from the bill.
The Worksop fighter explained: "We had an opponent (Klaudia Ferenczi, from Slovakia,) agreed and everything was moving forward, but with the significant increase in costs at the time of booking, along with other circumstances and politics within boxing that are completely outside of my control, it just wasn’t sensible for me to continue.
"Before this one was locked in there was the possibility of boxing a UK opponent but considerably heavier than me. As much as I want to fight I have to put my health and safety first. No fight is worth compromising that.
"I am absolutely gutted. Walking away from a fight is never something I take lightly, especially when I’ve put so much time, effort and sacrifice into preparing. But deep down, I know this was the right decision for me and for my long-term health and safety."
Rhodes had hoped Saturday would be a bounce-back fight for Nicola, following her second round stoppage to Shannon Ryan in May.
"I'd love to push her towards another title, maybe as an away fighter on an MVP card" he says.
Meanwhile Sheffield's Kerry Orton has also had to ditch her plans to fight, on a separate, Rob Riley card.
She says: "Recently I had the chance to fight in the home corner. But with that opportunity comes the responsibility of selling enough tickets to cover an opponent’s purse, travel, accommodation, and the pay into the show itself.
"We pushed hard to get a UK opponent, but nobody is available in my weight category due to medicals etc.
"We looked abroad and even with the tickets sold, it just wasn’t enough to cover the costs. Because of that, the fight is off and I’m gutted."