Frustration for Worksop boxer Nicola Hopewell after comeback bout is called off
Worksop boxer Nicola Hopewell says she is gutted following the late cancellation of her planned bout this weekend.
Hopewell had been due to face an unnamed foreign opponent on the Undisputed bill taking place at the Empire Theatre in Rotherham on Saturday night
But, following what Hopewell described as rising costs and boxing politics, the bout will no longer take place.
“This is very difficult as I love this sport, I love competing, and I would fight anyone when the right and safe opportunity is there,” she said.
“I’m absolutely gutted. Walking away from a fight is never something I take lightly, especially when I’ve put so much time, effort and sacrifice into preparing. But deep down, I know this was the right decision for me and for my long-term health and safety.
“There simply aren’t enough female opponents for me in the UK at the moment, so we needed to bring an opponent over from abroad. This has never been an issue for me before and I’ve always been willing to put my own money into my boxing because I just want to be in the ring and continue doing what I love.
“We had an opponent agreed and everything was moving forward, but with the significant increase in costs at the time of booking, along with other circumstances and politics within boxing that are completely outside of my control, it just wasn’t sensible for me to continue.”
The bout was part of the former IBF and commonwealth title holder’s comeback plans after she was beaten in her last fight following a step up in weight.
“Before this one was locked in there was the possibility of boxing a UK opponent but considerably heavier than me,” added Hopewell. “As much as I want to fight I have to put my health and safety first. No fight is worth compromising that.”