Shields, Mitchell, Harper, and Hardy are among the stars in early 2022 action.
Women’s boxing is ready to begin a brand new year.
Here are some of the best fights to look forward to at the beginning of 2022.
Mitchell-Skelly
‘The Miracle’ Jamie Mitchell (7-0-2, 4 KOs) makes the first defense of her WBA bantamweight title against Carly Skelly (4-0-1). Mitchell claimed the strap in October in England by seeing off Shannon Courtenay via majority decision.
Mitchell vs Skelly, Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, USA – 5 February 2022 on the Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs Carlos Cuadras / Liam Smith vs. Jessie Vargas card, live on DAZN.
Check out our fascinating interview with Jamie Mitchell here
“Staying true and humble and dedicated to the game will get you far,” she said.
Shields-Kozin
On the night where Chris Eubank Jr will settle his feud with Liam Williams, pound-for-pound star Claressa Shields (11-0, 2 KOs) faces unbeaten Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) for Shields’ WBC, WBA, and IBF women’s middleweight titles at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on 5 February, live on Sky Sports. It is UK-debut for Shields.
“I’m eager to get back in the ring and I can’t wait to return to boxing on February 5 in the U.K.,” said Shields. “This is going to be a performance you’re not going to want to miss.”
Harper-Hardy
Terri Harper (11-1-1, 6KOs), the former WBC and IBO super featherweight titlist, returns to the ring for her first fight following the end of her title reign and first career loss to Alycia Baumgardner in November – a vicious stoppage defeat.
This time Harper moves up to lightweight and faces former featherweight titleholder Heather Hardy (22-2, 4 KOs), a veteran in the sport, in another tough and exciting match-up.
Hardy is back after UD losses in her last two outings against Amanda Serrano (2019) and Jessica Camara (2021), but told SecondsOut: “You’ll see me be relentless towards getting that W.”
Harper-Hardy takes place on the Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan card on 12 March at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England live on DAZN.