Professional fighter Emma Dolan moves to Newark to train under Carl Greaves and pursue her goals of becoming world champion
A LEAP of faith has seen a young, ambitious, upcoming fighter relocate across the country from Norwich to Newark in her quest to become the best in the world.
Emma Dolan is a promising boxer with a 4-0 record who is excited about the future training under Carl Greaves.
The 24-year-old won her debut fight via a knockout and has won the other three bouts on a points decision.
She has moved across the country to take the next step on her fighting journey.
The move has culminated with the signing of a three-year professional contract with Greaves as her new trainer and manager.
“I’m in good hands with Carl,” she said.
“He has proven he looks after his fighters. I am delighted to have signed with him.”
It wasn’t a decision Dolan took lightly, saying she did her homework before committing.
“I knew I wanted to change gyms,” said Dolan who added she was willing to move to wherever she felt had the best prospects for her chosen career.
“I didn’t want to go half-in, I looked at gyms in London and Manchester.
“I came to Carl’s and I knew it was a good fit straight away. We gelled instantly.”
Dolan who has uprooted her life to move to Newark with her partner and dog had an impressive amateur record before turning pro, fighting 49 times and accumulating 39 victories.
She also boxed for England as an amateur.
“I am lucky that my partner, Tom, has been really supportive.
“He was open to moving to Newark and that obviously makes things a lot easier.”
She added that so far, they are both enjoying living in the town.
Dolan had the foresight to realise that she needed a change to achieve her lofty goals and grow as a fighter.
“I felt like I had stagnated in my old gym and this is the way forward,” she said.
“It was important that I found the right gym and I am happy with my decision.”
Still, the decision has not been without its challenges.
“Leaving my family in Norwich has been difficult, we are very tight-knit but I speak to my dad on the phone several times a day,” she said.
“This is one of the sacrifices I have had to make in my quest to go all in to achieve my ambitions.
“You can try and you can fail but I aim to be the best I can be, the goal is to be the best in the world.
Dolan sees Greaves as an important part of her plan.
“I want to be the best in the sport, I am not here to just see how I go, I want to be world champion.”
Greaves who currently manages 3-0 professional female fighter Ellis Hopkins previously trained Commonwealth champion Nina Bradley and will train Dolan moving forward.
He believes that the young fighter has the skill it takes to fulfil her goals.
Greaves currently has around ten professional boxers training at his gym and manages a number of others.
He recently opened his new gym in the town centre and Dolan will join him there for training.
“Emma is a good boxer with long arms and fights well at long range. I will turn her into a box fighter,” said Greaves.
“She has loads of ability and definitely has what it takes to become a world champion.”
It is a resounding endorsement from a veteran trainer who is impressed by the fighter’s commitment to moving to a new town far from her home.
“Moving to Newark is a massive commitment,” said Greaves.
“She came over to train with me a couple of times after trying out a few well-known trainers but she liked how I worked so she asked if I would take her on which I gladly obliged.
“Emma moving to Newark does prove how committed she is and how much she wants to succeed in boxing.”
Dolan is a personal trainer and said she enjoys helping others with fitness goals.
Dolan is due to fight on the December 11 card at Newark Showground under the Carl Greaves Promotions banner. Her opponent will be announced closer to the event.
The boxer said she was looking forward to future challenges and will continue to work hard to achieve her goals of getting to the top.
