There was more than a hint of glamour in attendance at the recent press conference, for the upcoming Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott promoted LORDS OF THE RING II event, which took place at The Square Pie in Spitalfields Market, as all three female boxers that will be taking part were in attendance, along with other boxers that will be competing at this historic event.

 

LORDS OF THE RING II is secured it’s place in the history books of the sport as this will be the first professional boxing event, in the UK, to feature three female combatants.

 

The first to speak was Team GB athlete Shaunagh Brown, from Peckham, London, a successful athlete in three disciplines, Shot Putt, Hammer Throw and Discus, who makes her professional debut on August 29^th.

 

“I’m excited to be making my pro debut next week, I can’t wait.

 

I’ve always worked hard to prepare for a competition, but the work you have to do as a boxer is another level altogether.

 

My coach Mark (former Commonwealth Champion Mark Reefer) has been brilliant, I’ve learned so much from him, he really has made this move from athletics to boxing much easier than it should have been.

 

I’m just looking forward to getting in the ring now and do just what Mark has taught me to do”

 

Next to speak was Leeds, Yorkshire’s Sam Smith, who recently beat Zsofia Bedo to secure the International Masters International title, on just her third professional bout.

 

“It’s been a long journey to get here today but it’s been worth it, it’s been my dream to fight at York Hall one day and now I am.

 

This has all happened so fast, I fought on August 2^nd and was going to take a week off from training, but when Lee (former Irish Champion Lee Murtagh) said he could get me on the show that went straight out the door, I had to take it, so just took a couple of days off and then straight back in the gym to get ready.

 

I’m ready and raring to go, can’t wait.”

 

Finally British #1 and reigning MBC International Champion, Woolwich, London’s Marianne Marston took to the mike.

 

“I would not only like to thank Mark and Billy (promoters Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott) for giving myself the opportunity to fight on their August 29^th show, but also thank them for unwavering support of Women’s boxing.

 

It’s an honour to be involved in such an historic event, have to say though it’s been a rather long time coming.

 

Everyone expected that Women’s boxing would take off here, after the success of the sport at the London 2012 Olympics, but it’s only now that it is, although saying that I must stress that this is only possible because of the MBC (Malta Boxing Commission), as they are the only pro organization operating in the UK that actively encourage and support Women’s Professional Boxing.

 

Hopefully this is the start of big things for us, last year we had myself and Angel (McKenzie) fighting on the same show, now we have Sam, Shaunagh and myself all fighting on the same event, hopefully by this time next year we will create even more history with an all female event.

 

I can’t wait to get back in the ring, it’s been nearly ten months since I last fought, which is way too long.

 

I’m pleased to say that the injury that stopped me fighting earlier in the year is now healed, so I have been able to train fully for next Saturday’s fight.

 

We’re all hoping that there will be some good support from the fans, not only is it the new season opener and the first chance to catch some boxing action in the Capital after the summer break, but also it’s the first time ever that there are three Women’s boxing bouts on a pro show.

 

So get your tickets now, this is definitely a not to be missed show.”

 

The Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys promotions LORDS OF THE RING II event will take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29^th Lub yim hli ntuj 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Daim pib, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com thiab www.wiseguypromotions.com or call 07960 850645 los sis 07807 282559.

Promoters Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott today announced that they have added two further Female professional bouts, in addition to the one already on the card, to their upcoming LORDS OF THE RING II event, which takes place at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, London on Saturday August 29^th.

 

Heading up the female contingent on the Capital City’s new season opener, is British #1 ranked (Super Bantamweight & Pound For Pound) and reigning MBC International Super Bantamweight Champion Marianne Marston.

 

This will be the first chance for Marston’s fans to see her in action this year, as she suffered a relapse to the severely damaged piriformis muscle she tore during the buildup to the WBU European title challenge against Hana Horakova in March last year.

 

Marston will be looking to be on her best form, now the injury is completely healed, as the Londoner has been lined up to challenge for a World title later this year.

 

Joining Marston on the LORDS OF THE RING II event will be unbeaten Lightweight Sam Smith from Leeds and a fellow Londoner Shaunagh Brown, who will be making her professional debut.

 

Smith, who fights out of the Bethlehem Gym in Leeds, has made quite a statement, since turning pro in March this year, scoring three stoppage wins as well as already securing her first Championship accolade, when she beat Zsofia Bedo by third round stoppage to secure the International Masters Bronze Lightweight title.

 

Making her professional debut on the event is Team GB Athlete Shaunagh ‘The Hammer’ Brown from Peckham, South London.

 

Brown, who is coached by former Commonwealth Champion Mark Reefer at the Champions TKO gym in Hackney, has enjoyed enviable success throughout her athletics career, including winning the Gold medal (Discus) at the ESAA Championships in both 2005 thiab 2006, Silver at the AAA U20 Championships also in 2006.

 

At the England Athletics U20 Championships in 2008, Brown secured not one but two medals in different disciplines, Gold for the Discus and Silver for the Shot Put. Nyob rau hauv 2009, at the Aviva England Athletics U20 Championships, Brown then added the Gold Medal for Shot Put to her collection.

 

Speaking earlier promoter Mark Lyons made it clear he and his business partner Billy James-Elliott are elated to be at the forefront of Women’s boxing in the UK,

 

“This is the new season opener for boxing in London and we decided that new season, new start so what better than to bring to the fore some of the magnificent female fighters we have in this country.

 

Without doubt it’s about time there were more female fights in the pro ranks, over the past few years about the only British female fighters that have seen regular action are Marianne (Marston) and Angel McKenzie, but now with Sam (Smith), Shaunagh (Brown) and others such as Juliette Winter coming on board, Women’s boxing can really start to gain some momentum.

 

It’s unheard of to have three female bouts on a pro event in the UK, after the 29^th August hopefully this will no longer be the case and we get to see these young women in action, as well as getting the media coverage they deserve.

 

Marianne has more than proved she is Championship level and rightly has earned a shot at the World title later this year and I don’t doubt for one minute that Sam will also be challenging for major titles in the near future too, as will Shaunagh.

 

Shaunagh has enjoyed success in the sporting arena previously, Discus, Shot Put and Hammer Throwing, both Nationally and Internationally, the girl’s a winner and am sure she will be just as successful as a boxer as she was is in her other chosen sports.

 

It’s going to be a great event, besides the three female bouts, there’s a lot of great fights lined up that feature some top fighters, such as WBF World Champion Chris Goodwin, former Team GB star Iain Weaver and Jimmy Campbell, Jimmy has been in with the best of his division, such as World Champions Anthony Dirrell and Virgil Hill.

 

On top of that we have a card rammed with upcoming young talents, as well as some future stars making their pro debuts, so it definitely is an event that caters for all boxing fans, young, old, male or female there’s something for everyone.”

 

The Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott Wise Guys promotions LORDS OF THE RING II event will take place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 29^th Lub yim hli ntuj 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Daim pib, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.tkoboxoffice.com thiab www.wiseguypromotions.com or call 07960 850645 los sis 07807 282559.