‘I gave up football dream to make Matchroom boxing history – now I want titles’
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Flyweight contender Maisey Rose Courtney went from football fanatic to a professional boxer in pursuit of titles – making history for Matchroom boxing along the way.
Returning on the undercard of Katie Taylor's undisputed light-welterweight title showdown against Chantelle Cameron this Saturday (May 20), Courtney is already eyeing up belts of her own after two pro bouts.
The 22-year-old has been fast tracked to stardom after being signed to a multi-fight professional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom and becoming the first female boxer to train out of the Matchroom Elite Gym.
READ MORE: Chantelle Cameron ready to take away Katie Taylor's dream of a happy Irish homecoming
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport before flying to Dublin, Courtney said: "I started boxing when I was about seven or eight – but I always wanted to be a footballer.
"I played for a boys team at the time because there wasn't girls teams really and where I was playing there was these guys running around the field.
"I found out they were boxers and training in the gym above the football club, I joined in just as a hobby and ended up being better at punching than I was at kicking."
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A six-time national champion as well as representing her country, Courtney had Olympic dreams before opting to turn professional last October in pursuit of world titles.
Fighting at Wembley Arena for a debut victory over Judit Hachbold on the undercard of Taylor's lightweight title defence against Karen Carabajal, the pair have often rubbed shoulders.
Courtney returned in March to see off the challenge of Buchra El Quaissi – and wasn't going to pass up the chance to fight on Taylor's homecoming card against Kate Radomska in Ireland.
She added: "I met her (Taylor) before I turned pro and I worshiped the ground she walked on, I still do now! I feel like she's almost my mate now, nowhere near, but almost!
"I look up to her massively and I'm really grateful for her because she's paved the way. The things she's done and the barriers she's broken. I wouldn't be able to be in the position I'm in."
Taylor, now 36, has a perfect professional record of 22-0 having won her first title after just five fights and first world title after seven.
Courtney sees herself on a similar path to the Irishwoman, a former international footballer, who has the chance to go undisputed in two different divisions at the 3Arena this weekend.
She continued: "I do believe that I've entered the professional ranks at the perfect time, we can reach title fights within four, five or six fights and that's what we're aiming to do.
"I'm looking at a British title at the end of the year and that will be my fourth or fifth fight. A world title in under 10 fights is very achievable."
Next up for Courtney is her toughest test yet in the form of Radomska, 33, who will be fighting in front of a home crowd with a pro record of 3-1.
She concluded: "The talent pool in my division, there isn't a lot of us. So I have to make step ups quite quickly. I'm 2-0 and she's 3-1, she's coming in there to beat me up.
"I'm in there with someone who wants to have a fight with me and that's what I'm preparing for – that's why it's exciting."
Watch Maisey Rose Courtney vs Kate Radomska on the undercard of Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron on DAZN in the UK. The DAZN app is available globally on most internet-connected devices, with a stream also available on web browsers at DAZN.com.
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- Eddie Hearn
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