Karriss Artingstall outclassed Raven Chapman to become the first-ever British women’s featherweight champion.
In a career-best performance, the Olympic bronze medalist earned a unanimous decision victory against her former amateur opponent.
Although Artingstall had previously defeated Chapman in amateur boxing, Chapman entered this fight with more professional experience, having challenged for the WBC world title against Skye Nicolson.
The fight began cautiously as Artingstall, fighting in a southpaw stance, used the first round to establish her jab.
Chapman responded with quick attacks, landing right hands in combinations.
Chapman continued her aggressive approach in the second round, but Artingstall countered with a powerful cross that knocked Chapman down. Chapman received a count.
Artingstall continued to pressure Chapman with her left hand, but Chapman, showing resilience, recovered and started using her uppercut and maintained activity in the later rounds as Artingstall slowed down.
However, Artingstall’s powerful left hand proved to be a significant weapon, repeatedly catching Chapman when she was open.
Artingstall secured a clear unanimous decision win with scores of 98-91, 97-92, and 96-93 from the judges.
In another fight, Jasmina Zapotoczna defeated Chloe Watson by split decision to win the European flyweight title.
Having sparred together before, Watson and Zapotoczna were familiar with each other, resulting in a closely contested fight.
Watson, from Birkenhead, started aggressively, keeping her guard high and focusing her attacks on Zapotoczna. She landed backhand uppercuts from the beginning and tried to land her right hand to win early rounds.
She pressured Zapotoczna against the ropes and maintained her attack with punches through the middle.
Zapotoczna remained composed, using her reach to land long punches as Watson advanced, effectively countering the champion.
Zapotoczna gained momentum in the second half of the fight, demonstrating better shot selection and control.
Watson finished strongly, landing a hook and a body shot.
However, it wasn’t enough to sway the judges. While one judge scored the fight 97-93 for Watson, the other two scored it 96-95 for Zapotoczna.
In the opening bout, Francesca Hennessy dominated Gemma Ruegg at the Royal Albert Hall.
Hennessy used her left hook effectively against Ruegg. A head clash caused swelling on Ruegg’s forehead, but Hennessy’s boxing skills were the main problem for Ruegg.
Hennessy, from Sevenoaks, landed quick combinations and controlled Ruegg, while also showcasing her agility, which pleased the crowd.
A strong counter right hand landed cleanly on Ruegg, and Hennessy cruised to an 80-72 points victory over eight rounds.
