‘Billion Dollar Baby’ Francesca Hennessy challenges Czechia’s first female world champion
‘Billion Dollar Baby’ Francesca Hennessy from Kent makes her debut on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, October 25, headlining the first primetime fight of BBC Sport’s new partnership with BOXXER.
Hennessy will take centre stage ahead of the blockbuster British Heavyweight Championship clash between Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV.
Dubbed the ‘Billion Dollar Baby’ due to her early entrance into professional boxing, at just 20 years old Hennessy is unbeaten in her first six professional fights and has already carved out a reputation as one of British boxing’s most rapidly rising new female talents.
Known for her bold ring walks and her fearless fighting style, Hennessy’s a natural show-stealer and has said she’s looking forward to starring on her biggest stage yet with the nation watching live. Hennessy will square off against former world champion Fabiana Bytyqi (22-2-2, 5 KOs) which will make for the biggest challenge of her career to date.
Bytyqi made history becoming the first female world champion from Czechia when claiming the WBC Atomweight Title in September 2018. The 29-year-old went on to successfully defend her belt multiple times during a six-year reign before moving up to the bantamweight division.
Francesca Hennessy said: “To be fighting live on BBC primetime Saturday night is a rare and special moment. It’s my opportunity to bring the energy and entertainment on a night when the whole nation will be watching. Women’s boxing is thriving at the moment, but I’m determined to showcase something different – especially with it being the first time in 20 years that big-time boxing is shown on the BBC. It’s a new age, and I want people to look back and say this was the night the next generation arrived”
BOXXER Founder & CEO, Ben Shalom, said: “Francesca Hennessy is pure box office – a natural star who brings charisma, excitement and real fighting talent. This is a huge platform for her as part of the main BBC television broadcast and the perfect stage to introduce her to millions of new fans. I know she will shine in the spotlight and I’m so excited for her.”
Alex Kay Jelski, Director of BBC Sport: “After a historic summer for women’s sport, we’re proud to keep driving that momentum forwards by giving top female athletes the platform they deserve. Francesca Hennessy is one of British boxing’s most exciting rising talents, and her primetime debut on BBC Two and iPlayer is another great step in our mission to champion women’s sport and put it where it belongs – centre stage.”
The fight marks the return of professional boxing to free-to-air BBC primetime television for the first time in over 20 years. Coverage begins at 8pm on BBC Two, with the undercard streaming live on BBC iPlayer.
Headlining this historic night is a monumental clash for the British Heavyweight Title, as Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV go head-to-head in a bid to cement their place in boxing history.
Adding to the excitement, two high-stakes matchups featuring top domestic contenders have been confirmed for the undercard – streaming live and exclusively on BBC iPlayer.
Redcar’s Bobby Dalton (11-0, 2 KOs) puts his English Welterweight Title on the line against Dagenham’s Joel Kodua (9-0, 2 KOs) in a battle of unbeaten contenders that promises fireworks.
Both fighters enter the bout on the back of career-best performances. Dalton secured the English title with a hard-fought majority decision over Ben Vaughn, while Kodua claimed the Southern Area belt with an impressive tenth-round TKO victory over Daniel Francis.
With pride, legacy and future opportunities on the line, both men will be eager to prove they are England’s number one welterweight and to take another step forward in their careers.
Manchester’s undefeated Mauro Silva (9-0, 4 KOs) hasn’t put a foot wrong since turning professional. The 23-year-old, who is managed by Chris Eubank Jr, impressed in his most recent outing with a dominant fourth-round stoppage of Omir Rodriguez in Barnsley.
He now faces the toughest test of his career to date, stepping up in class to take on Coventry’s Bradley Goldsmith (13-1, 9 KOs) in an eight-round middleweight contest.
Goldsmith, who trains out of the renowned Ingle Gym in Sheffield, delivered a gutsy performance earlier this year in a thrilling fight with Troy Coleman for the Midlands Area Title.
The 27-year-old had Coleman hurt in the sixth round, but a dramatic turnaround saw Goldsmith suffer his first professional defeat. Eager to return to title contention, Goldsmith will be looking to make a statement with a win over the unbeaten Silva.
Former world title challenger Jack Massey (22-3, 12 KOs) also returns to action following his courageous attempt at Jai Opetaia’s IBF World Cruiserweight Title last year. The 32-year-old former IBO, European and Commonwealth Champion, is determined to work his way back into the world’s elite, beginning with a comeback clash against heavy-handed Argentinian Ivan Gabriel Garcia (10-4-1, 10 KOs).
Further details of the undercard will be announced soon.
Limited tickets are still available at BOXXER.com