Newark boxer Emma Dolan moves a step closer to world title shot after retaining British and Commonwealth titles
Newark’s Emma Dolan pushed her case for a world title fight after retaining her British and Commonwealth super-flyweight titles on Friday night.
The 26-year-old made it eight wins from eight against Stevenage’s Lauren Parker at London’s York Hall, winning on points after a dominant display.
“I’m delighted again with Emma’s performance on the night,” said manager and trainer Carl Greaves.
“She’s made so many sacrifices for boxing. She’s a joy to train and soaks up everything Adam (Kettleborough) and I tell her in training and on fight night when it really matters.
“To have had four fights under the #CGP banner and to have won four Commonwealth title fights and two British title fights is just amazing.
“She’s beaten the best in Britain and gets better with each fight and is ranked number three by the IBF.
“Their champion is Mexico’s Irma Garcia and in an ideal world we’d like Irma to come over to the UK and defend her title against Emma in her next fight later this year.”
The early rounds were close, but Dolan’s high-quality work and busier style saw her begin to pull clear of Parker from the third round. Parker pressed the Newark fighter more in the midpoint rounds but Dolan’s combinations were doing more damage as the fight wore on.
Dolan stepped up the pace in the seventh with some lovely combinations finding their target. The eighth saw Parker try to ‘fight fire with fire’ but Dolan just seemed to get better and better.
The final rounds saw more of the same as Parker went on the offensive but left gaps around the body which Dolan exploited and kept hurting Parker with some combinations. When the final bell rang, there was only going to by one winner and a delighted Dolan saw her hand raised by referee Bob Williams upon hearing the verdict.
“I would like to thank my trainer/manager Carl Greaves and my trainer Adam Kettleborough,” said Dolan. “Carl puts countless hours in with me, the most dedicated and underrated trainer in the game.
“My partner Tom Quinton, my training stablemates especially Tom Pogson and Jordan Transport’s Baz Jordan who carried my belts.
“Also, everyone who’s bought a ticket, all my sponsors, all my supporters online and all my family and friends. Fight eight was for you Neil (dad of partner Tom, who passed away recently).
“I’ve beaten all the top British girls at my weight now. I’m ranked number three with the IBF - let’s see what’s next.”
