Shannon O’Connell Targets Shannon Courtenay
Shannon Courtenay was crowned the new WBA Bantamweight World Champion after defeating Australia’s Ebanie Bridges on points following a punishing battle.
The pair were embroiled in a heated build-up but it was the Watford fighter who had the final word, becoming Britain’s latest World Champion by securing a unanimous decision with scores of 97-94, 98-92, and 98-92.
“Amazing. I don’t want to cry. Amazing,” said Courtenay. “I feel like my jab won me the fight to be honest. My conditioning, my attrition, all of the hard work. My two coaches Charlie and H kill me on a daily basis. They kill me in the gym. I hate them for it, but it bloody paid off. My nice jab, my fitness and my conditioning won me that fight.
“I have genuinely turned my life around,” Courtenay said.
“I boxed nicer, I have cuter shots, I landed the jab every time. She just tried to knock me out. My jab won me the fight. Her eye shows that.
“I want Rachel Ball next!”
@WBABoxing @shotgunshannon1
#1 Contender is ready@JakeNDaBox @R8UND @AnsonWainwright @dougiefischer @ProBoxingFans @fightwriterone @boxingscene @gulepama @julianisjulius @jaircuba @ringsider2020 @JamiePandaram @nickwalshaw @weaksauceradio @Grishamfight @ESBCGame @el_pollo_loco https://t.co/P0Fy86dA61— Tony Tolj ?????? (@TonyTolj) April 11, 2021
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “I would love to see the Rachel Ball rematch. Shannon wants to put that right.”
Waiting in the wings is the #1 WBA Contender “Shotgun” Shannon O’Connell who has been outspoken about getting her own opportunity at the newly crowned champion opens up about her thoughts on the fight and the new champion.
“It was a better fight than I expected to see but I still think that’s because both girls are on that same level as each other. I’m at a different level so it’ll be a step up for Courtenay and I think she will still make it a good fight but I’ll definitely be too much for her.
“If she (Courtenay) wants to call herself the WBA world champ she should really fight the top of the table and that’s me.”
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
