Francesca Hennessy said she’s feeling the best she’s ever felt ahead of the biggest night of her career.
The 7-0 (1 KO) 21-year-old said she’s looking to make a statement against Ellie Bouttell, 7-0-1 (2 KOs), at London’s Copper Cox Arena.
“It feels amazing to have a women’s fight headlining on the BBC,” said Hennessy. “I feel absolutely privileged to be on this card and be a headliner on it. I know Ellie’s a very good fighter. I know the best of me beats anyone. That’s just how I feel. I’m very disciplined. That mentality stays the same regardless of who’s in front of me.”
Hennessy wants to become the youngest undisputed champion in women’s boxing.
“That’s one of my dreams,” she said. “I’ve got a hard fight with Ellie and I’m not overlooking her but that’s definitely something I hope I can go on to achieve.”
Ellie is not here to make up the numbers. Based in China, she spoke of her journey to headlining in London.
“Any sort of big step up feels sudden, it doesn’t mean it’s faster than it should have been. It’s a big step,” she said.
“I think we come into this fight with the same kind of attitude, don’t underestimate the opponent, expect it to be a tough fight that goes the distance… we’ve worked incredibly hard for this fight… I know my opponent is a challenging one.”
Dutch light heavyweight prospect Gradus Kraus, 9-0 (8 KOs), said he’s looking to impress against Scottish veteran Boris Crighton, who is 13-6 (7 KOs).
Kraus, who is being managed by Mick Hennessy and making his Boxxer debut, said: “I’m happy I can sign with Boxxer with Ben [Shalom] and I always do my best and fight hard. As always, I try to give the people a spectacular fight and try to knock my opponents out… I will always win. I’m always confident and I always go for the win. I always train hard.”
Crighton said he is unfazed by Kraus’ reputation.
“Hype is hype at the end of the day,” he said. “When you get into the ring, that’s when you find out… Until then, he’s just a fighter like I am.”
Asked about his experience, Crighton said: “It’s going to play a massive part in my favor.
“The underdog is more fun. I think we all thrive to overcome these moments… Having to do it the hard way is not something I’m shy about.”
Elsewhere, Archie Sharp said he still had world title aspirations after a disappointing showing in a tepid loss to Maxi Hughes last year.
“I know he’s tough,” he said of his opponent. “He likes to throw shots and that’s exactly what I need... [I want to get] straight back into some big fights. I know I can be a world champion. Get these six rounds out the way and go back to looking at big fights.”
Also on the bill is Hassan Azim, brother of Adam – who had been due to headline against Gustavo Lemos before both fighters were injured and the fight was shelved.
“I’m very excited,” said 8-0 middleweight Azim, who wants to fight five of six times in 2026 after a period of inactivity. “I’ve been in camp a few months and I can’t wait to show you what I’m capable of. He’s coming to win. He’s been through all the rounds and he’s coming to bring the heat and I will as well and I know I’m going to smash him this weekend…. You’ll see what I’m capable of.”
The Tunde Ajayi prospect Joel Kodua, 10-0 (2 KOs) and a welterweight, said ahead of facing 9-2-3 Joe Garside: “I just need to be myself. It don’t matter what he brings to the table, I’ve just got to be myself. I’ll be more aggressive, more powerful, faster, smarter, all of it. Everyone wants to win, but I just need to put in a dominant statement. I’m getting better every day. Every day I’m in the gym slaving away.”
