Shannon Ryan offers to inspire others ahead of the title match – “Advocate for the younger generation” – Eurosport

Shannon Ryan is on a mission to inspire the next generation as she prepares for a British and Commonwealth title fight.

It’s only been two years since Ryan swapped the shop floor of O2’s Watford store for the screen of professional boxing, but the 27-year-old has quickly racked up seven consecutive victories.

Her unbeaten record will be on the line again in June when she takes on Emma Dolan for the British and Commonwealth super flyweight titles, and Ryan knows this will further enhance her fast-growing reputation as one of the country’s most exciting boxers.

That’s exactly what she wants as she looks to spread her message about pursuing your passion, no matter the odds.

“I want to be an advocate for the younger generation. Not just girls, not just boys but men and women,” said Ryan, who has a rich history in sports. From kickboxing as an eight-year-old to later being recognized as the best in the world in her weight class, she went on to win several international tournaments, before going on to represent Great Britain in Taekwondo.

“I want to be a voice that says ‘don’t forget to do what you love.’ Time goes by so fast, which everyone starts to realize as they get older, but people forget to find their purpose and be happy.

“I want to be that voice that can spread it in the community to continue for your dreams.”

Ryan speaks with experience, having taken the scenic route to where she is now. The love of fighting was evident from the age of five, with her father’s kickboxing gym in Bushey as the first outlet.

She switched to taekwondo to chase a place at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but returned home after nine months in Manchester hampered by injury and found boxing.

With no immediate way to go professional, Ryan combined training with a regular job in an O2 store, where she discovered the demands of chasing her dreams as an amateur athlete.

“I would never say I’ve had it easy. If people look from the outside, they might think it is, but for me it hasn’t been easy,” she added.

“It’s been hard, but I’ve pushed through. I did my 9-5 and then did my 6-10, which was the passion I loved to do.

“I closed up shop and then went straight to the gym, missing an important meal that would help sustain me during the workout. I really loved the job, but I needed to find a way out to do what I love.

“It was my first ever job I’d had and I’m very grateful to my team at the O2 store who supported my dreams of becoming a professional boxer. If I needed to change shifts for training purposes, the whole team were fantastic.

“The rest and recovery weren’t quite there, and the scheduled meals weren’t quite there. Now that I’m a pro, I see such a difference.

“It’s been a crazy journey. If someone were to look at my career and see where I am now, I think it’s incredible. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of the support I’ve received.

“I’ve always said I wasn’t meant to be a boxer because of how my journey has gone, but now I say I was always meant to be a boxer, I just had to go through everything I have to become the boxer that I am today.”

Her professional status is partly thanks to her former employer, O2, who offered to sponsor Ryan when her professional license was accepted in 2022.

They are not the only ones with an eye for talent, with Watford boxer Anthony Joshua’s 258 management company and promoter Boxxer also coming on board to support her, before Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing signed her to their world class roster.

This means Ryan can prepare for his fights exactly as required without having to change shifts or miss meals.

“It’s a full-circle moment, but it was hard, working plus training,” she reflected. “Now partnering with O2 as a professional has been an important component of my career.

“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I would have improved as quickly as I have or progressed through the ranks as quickly as I have. Now I can train twice a day and get rest and recovery thanks to O2. “

All the blocks are therefore in place for Ryan’s match with Dolan on June 22, where the 27-year-old can spend extra time studying his opponent, rather than falling asleep in front of clips after a full day’s work.

The professional world is one that has suited her so far and Ryan hopes the fight is just another stepping stone to greater heights, where she will continue to tell her story of her long road to the top.

“Every fight is a new experience and every fight you learn more about yourself as an athlete and as an individual,” added Ryan.

“I believe I can become undisputed champion in the super flyweight division, and then either move down or move up to become a two-weight world champion. I fully believe I can do that.

“It’s scary, but it’s also exciting, and they go hand in hand. It’s scary in the sense that when you have that world title, all eyes are on you. You have that title; the goal is to keep it.

“It’s also exciting because your voice has more power, which means you can dictate a bit more what you want to do, both inside and outside of boxing.”