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Hennessy Edges Bouttell in London Boxing Bout

BBC Sport •
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In a hard-fought contest at London's Copper Box Arena, Francesca Hennessy secured a majority decision victory over Ellie Bouttell. The British bantamweight contender, nicknamed 'Billion Dollar Baby', now moves closer to a world title shot. Both fighters battled through cuts from an accidental head clash, showcasing grit and determination throughout the bout, which was shown live on BBC Two.

Hennessy's win marks her eighth consecutive victory and sets her up as the mandatory challenger for Cherneka Johnson's WBC title. The fight was a clash of styles, with Boutell trying to take it inside while Hennessy used her footwork to keep range. The judges' scorecards reflected a close fight, underscoring the intensity and competitiveness of the matchup, with both fighters landing close to 500 punches.

Hennessy's next challenge will be against the current undisputed world champion, Cherneka Johnson. A victory would make Hennessy the youngest undisputed champion in boxing history. Gradus Kraus also had a win in the co-main event, defeating Boris Crighton by TKO in the second round. Kraus is looking to become a future PPV star.

This victory is a major step for Hennessy, who has built a strong following. The 21-year-old fighter has built momentum after rising from being an overweight youngster to a bantamweight contender. While Bouttell didn't win, she left a lasting impression on the sport. Questions remain about Hennessy's ability to compete at the world level.