Dereham's British and Commonwealth super flyweight champion Emma Dolan was expected to return to action this weekend at London’s York Hall, in what would have marked Dolan’s first appearance at British boxing’s spiritual home.
But a chest infection has now caused her contest to be postponed until the new year.
“I’m really gutted about it. I was looking forward to boxing there for the first time,” said a disappointed Dolan. “I’ve been ill the last couple of weeks and thought I was getting over it. But it’s just something I haven’t been able to shake off. Hopefully, we’ll get a new date for it soon.”
A bill-topping title defence on the Warren Boxing Management show, screened live on BoxNation TV, will now be replaced by low-key rest and recuperation.
Nevertheless, since upping sticks from Hockering and relocating to Newark in 2022, Dolan has seen her career skyrocket. In a successful tie-up with respected Notts trainer and manager, Carl Greaves, the 26-year-old is now unbeaten in seven pro-outings.
Over the past 12 months, she has demonstrated her ’trailblazer’ credentials by becoming the first-ever female Commonwealth champion at super-flyweight, and when outpointing Shannon Ryan earlier in the year, she became only the third woman to win a British title at any weight class.
“It’s great that women are now getting the chance to compete for these belts,” says Dolan. “It’s a chance to go down in history as well. I’m really proud of it.”
This weekend only her Commonwealth strap would have been on the line. Her challenger, Megan Redstall, remains unbeaten from just four pro fights but has never fought over 10 rounds, so the British Board [BBBofC] stopped short of sanctioning a defence of Dolan’s Lonsdale belt.
“It was a bit frustrating because you have to defend the belt three times to win it outright, and there just aren’t that many girls out there at my weight. There’s only really Shannon Ryan and Lauren Parker [current European champion].”
Dolan would love a rematch with old foe, Ryan. When they met back in the summer, it was Ryan who had the big sponsorships and the promotional muscle behind her. Yet following a second-round knockdown and a dominant performance, it was Dolan who picked up the win.
Extra spice was also added to the contest by the obvious needle that existed between the pair in the lead-up to fight night.
“I honestly get on with most people but Shannon [Ryan] is not someone I can ever see myself getting on with. She’s just not my kind of person,” admits Dolan. “There has been mention of a rematch, and I’d be well up for that. It’d be entertaining to have that on a big show.”
Frustratingly for Dolan, despite her recent eye-catching title-winning performance featuring live on DAZN, she is still awaiting a deal from one of the sport's big promoters.
“It’s hard having that massive win and not getting signed a promotional deal. But luckily, I’ve got Carl [Greaves], who is a great manager, and getting me some good opportunities,” she said.
For now, Dolan has to supplement her boxing income with a part-time job teaching fitness.
“I’ve just got to keep chipping away. I might not be the most glamorous person or on Instagram 24/7, but the quality is there in my boxing. I just need to keep chipping away at it to make sure I get noticed eventually. That’s really what motivates me."
Despite the rescheduled fight with Redstall hopefully on the cards for early next year, Dolan can’t resist looking further ahead.
She said: “I have a number three world rating with the IBF; it would be great to get a chance to compete for their belt, or any of the other world titles. That’s really what I’m aiming for. A chance to go for the European belt would also be great. Anything, that keeps moving me forward.”
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