Prospect Francesca Hennessy was today unveiled as the latest addition to the Boxxer ranks, joining her brother Michael on the roster and becoming part of Boxxer’s stable of female boxers.
Entering the professional ranks following an accomplished amateur career which saw her win two national championships, the Women’s Winter Box Cup and Sweden’s Golden Girls Box Cup, the talented 18-year-old hopes to follow in the world championship footsteps of stablemates Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas.
Daughter of veteran boxing manager and promoter Mick Hennessy, head of Hennessy Sports, the young Hennessy has never been short of inspiration. Her childhood years were populated by some of boxing’s biggest names – including heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, who was long part of her father’s stable – and she has all but grown up in the ring.
“I’m turning professional now, signing with the best platform, best promotion – I’m more than ready, I’m ready to shake up boxing. My style is very unique. I like to move and groove. I’m a bit of a show-woman. You’re going to see some excitement for sure,” said Hennessy.
“I saw the way my dad and Peter Fury were looking after Savannah Marshall and I thought ‘This is something I can do and go to the top at’. It really inspired me, seeing Savannah, I have always looked up to her. Savannah’s such a massive role model.
“Women’s boxing has got massive recently. I was at the Savannah Marshall-Claressa Shields fight and obviously as a young girl who loves boxing standing in that arena, it was amazing. I never thought I’d see the day when an arena would be packed out like that with two women fighting. It’s so exciting for all us young girls who are coming on up.”
Ben Shalom, Boxxer CEO, said, “Boxxer and the Hennessy family have worked together for a long time, so we’ve watched Fran blaze a trail through the amateur ranks and now we’re delighted she will make her professional debut under the BOXXER banner. She’s grown up in the game – she was practically raised in the ring – and she’s got enormous potential, so we’re excited to start that journey with her on September 30th.”
Hennessy joins a stable that includes world champions Marshall and Jonas plus Olympic medalists Lauren Price and Karriss Artingstall and top contender Caroline Dubois.
She will make her professional debut on Saturday, September 30th as part of the undercard for the BOXXER: Breakthrough event taking place at London’s historic York Hall.