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SHANNON COURTENAY
Shannon started her boxing career at Finchley ABC & Islington ABC and has been boxing for 6 years. She got into boxing by chance. “I had no intentions of fighting only went to a boxer use class to lose some weight & give up smoking & fell in love with the sport.” Little did Shannon know that she would go on as an amateur to win gold at the Haringey box cup, win an International tournament in Sweden, be an ABA finalist and Southern area champion. But then, Shannon’s aspirations have always been big: “As a professional I’m signed to Mathroom and I’m fighting for the WBA world title in just 4 weeks time!” 


All female boxers have various experiences in the world of boxing. “I feel like I came into the sport at the perfect time when women’s boxing was on the rise and being more socially accepted so I’ve not had some of the struggles that some female fighters have experienced many years ago of it almost being looked down upon, I feel like especially nowadays women’s boxing is booming.”


Boxings effect on Shannon’s life outside of the gym: “It’s given me a purpose, boxing changed my life and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities that have arisen because of this sport. It’s allowed me to wake up every morning and do what I love for a living and to me that’s priceless.” 


Over the years she has been boxing there has been some great moment, but on of the highlights so far was walking out live on Sky Sports on her debut. “I don’t think that feeling will ever be matched.” 

AMY ANDREW

Amy started boxing when she was 30 when she signed up to a white collar fight on a whim then joined the amateur boxing club Islington before joining Haringey Boxing Club. Amy has gone on to win 3 gold medals at Haringey Box Cup, represented her home country New Zealand Internationally at 57kg, won the Super Eight Series and made the NZ Olympic team before Covid. But one of her personal achievements was winning the English Elite National Champion whilst representing her club Haringey BC.

 

Asked on how she has found it as a female in boxing she replied. "Very exciting - it’s a great time to be a female boxer as there are so many opportunities."

 

Boxing has given Amy confidence and a sense of contentment, she even met her husband through boxing! As she put it "That was pretty life-changing!" Having recently turned pro and awaiting her debut we can’t wait to see what is next for Amy!

RACHEL BOWER

Whilst working as a police officer, a colleague suggested that Rachel enter the Police Boxing Tournament. She says "They told me he would train me up and do my corner. I realised after our first session that he didn’t know what he was doing and it wasn’t the boxing he was interested in! I’d already told everyone I was entering so I sought out a proper coach and went on to win gold."

 

Since then Rachel has gone on to win the Elite National Championships in 2015, boxed for England, competed in two World Police and the Fire Games in the USA along with even taking her own team to third as their coach. Fortunate to have had coaches who were strong advocates for women in boxing Rachel now uses her amazing experiences, due to her gender, to become a coach to guide others. 

 

In reply to how boxing has affected her life outside the gym, she says" Boxing has given me skills I’ve used in every aspect of my life. It’s my therapy, it keeps me sane and it’s given me confidence to do things I never imagined myself doing. Coaching has given even more and I use the skills I’ve developed in my professional and personal life."

 

Now Head Coach of her club and in the process of setting up a second along with being an England Talent Pathway Coach and on the GB Boxing Female Development Programme.

YAZMIN SURIN

Having been bullied when she was younger, Yasmin took up boxing at Rumbles Boxing Academy and hasn't looked but yet. Since starting boixing she has won The Golden Girl Championships twice in Sweden, won GOLD 2 Times and recently won the National Junior Championships making her National Champion. With all these achievements under her belt, when asked what the highlight of your career so far has been she repsonded "It doesn’t have to be inside the ring. Winning National Championships this year, making friends and being part of family at my club." Not sure if she will turn Pro yet, Yasmin said about her career so far, "I spend a lot of time training so do miss out on things, like parties going out, and a few girly like having my nails down, but i do make up for it when we have a break from training, I have got a good balance of seeing my friends outside boxing but also training and spending time with friends in boxing."

 

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