BATTLE on the Goldfields promoter Lynden Hosking is hoping Saturday's female world title bout in Bendigo can capitalise on the unprecedented interest in women's combat sports.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brisbane-based 'Shotgun' Shannon O'Connell will do battle with Colombian visitor Dayana 'El Diamente' Cordero over 10 two-minute rounds at Bendigo Stadium as part of a huge eight-fight card.
The bout is for the vacant WBC female silverweight title and has attracted considerable overseas interest.
Hosking said last weekend's UFC bantamweight championship match in Melbourne between now former champion Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm showed interest in sanctioned female fights was at an all-time high.
The former six-time Australian welterweight champion and Olympian at Atlanta in 1996 said he was confident the O'Connell-Cordero showdown would live up to the hype and appeal to both the devoted and casual boxing fan.
"I hope the people of Bendigo and district realise what a massive event this is and what we are trying to bring to Bendigo," he said.
"It's not just a little club show, this is a world title fight on a big card - it has a lot of international interest in it.
"We want to do more and more of it."
Hosking could not speak highly enough of the two combatants’ credentials.
Cordero boasts experience that belies her young age.
The 20 year-old has fought no fewer than five world champions during her 19-fight career, which started with six wins in her home country as a 15 and 16 year-old.
Her last fight was a narrow loss to Chilean Carolina Rodriguez, currently ranked number two in the world.
O'Connell, 32, is twice a world champion having won titles in South Africa in 2013 and Melbourne last year.
The Brisbane-based fighter has extensive overseas experience having fought also in Canada, South Korea and New Zealand during her 15-fight career.
O'Connell's record stands at an impressive 11 wins-four losses, her most recent bout a bruising contest in Toronto against Sandy Tsagouris.
O'Connell said there would be plenty of pressure on her as the ‘home country’ fighter, but hoped the big Bendigo crowd would get behind her in a bid for a third world title.
"I've always been looked after everywhere I've gone and fought, especially here in Australia – it’s awesome,” she said.
“Everybody wants that green belt – the green belt is the belt to have.”
Battle on the Goldfields will feature a double main event, with Bendigo’s Justin Whitehead to go toe-to-toe with American Julius Long.
Now based in New Zealand, Long stands an imposing seven foot one (216cm) and will be a quality match-up for Whitehead, who is having his second fight since returning to the ring after a break of five years.
The former Australian heavyweight champion won his comeback fight in August by knockout against Clarence Tillman.
The card also features Bendigo boxers Damien Lock, Scott Tuddenham, Mat Hall and Brad Morgan.
Both middleweight Hall and light welterweight Morgan will be making their professional debuts.
Ticket sales have been strong, with most ringside positions “done and dusted”, according to the promoter.
For bookings visit https://www.outix.com.au/tickets/event/battle-on-the-goldfields
