Nicola Hopewell: 'The ultimate goal is to fight for a world title.'
By Dan D'Alessio
Nicola Hopewell experienced more ups and downs than a rollercoaster last week.
A 4-1 professional boxer from Worksop, Hopewell, was on the cusp of challenging for the WBC, WBO, and Ring Magazine titles last Saturday night. In the blink of an eye, she was set to get the opportunity of a lifetime by travelling to Denmark to face the 21-0 Dina Thorslund and attempt to become a world champion. Unfortunately, though, Hopewell's chance to shine was halted by the British Boxing Board of Control.
"It started Wednesday night when my coach rang me asking me what I weighed and stuff and when I told him I was 116 [lbs], he said 'I've had an opportunity come through, an offer. You can box for these three belts, but it's in Denmark, and we've gotta go tomorrow.'
"So the first thing that comes to my mind is that I'm supposed to be working and I've only been at my job two weeks so it's not great me going on Thursday morning, asking for that day, and the next day off. But I went in and they understood so they put me some annual leave in.
"I'd got all my stuff ready to go and then Thursday morning after I'd just got back from work, picked my stuff up, and then just about to set off for the airport, and then my coach rang me again saying that the board had stopped it because I didn't have a three-day weight check even though I was going up in weight."
Since making her debut in August 2022 with a sixth-round stoppage of Klaudia Ferenczi, Hopewell has never weighed in over 114 lbs. But the 'Hurricane' was due to move up to 118 lbs to take on Thorslund at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen and was confident of making weight, even with such short notice.
"So I got really excited and overwhelmed with this opportunity that I thought was massive that doesn't come around very often. It was at bantamweight. I've boxed at super-flyweight, and I moved down to flyweight, but it was just one of them. It's an experience if anything else. It's a bit heavy, but it's only two weight categories.
"I spar bantamweight girls like Ebanie Bridges, and I spar Amy Greatorex in the gym - she's like a featherweight. So I'm used to sparring with bigger people. So I just couldn't turn it down, and then obviously, when they told me that I went from this real high down to a bit heartbroken really, but there was nothing I could do about it."
Despite the Thorslund fight falling through, Hopewell's initial selection as an opponent speaks volumes about her potential in the sport. After all, Thorslund is ranked by Ring Magazine as one of the best pound-for-pound female boxers in the world.
"Like even to be considered, and the three belts did sanction it, the WBO, WBC, and Ring. They obviously looked at me and thought I was capable of actually going in the ring with Dina. Like they wouldn't just sanction anyone. So, in a way, I think something good has come out of it because they are aware of me. I didn't think people were, so it was good that I got that opportunity. Just got a few eyes on me in that respect.
Therefore, if Hopewell continues to rack up victories, she could receive another golden opportunity in the future. Her ultimate goal has not changed, and at the age of 32, the Worksop native still has time to make her dream a reality.
"It's definitely to fight for a world title, and I think just getting that news and having that feeling that you are fighting for a world title because that's what I believed on Thursday morning. Like, your drive is so much different, and then when I went to sparring,
"Ebanie said,. I didn't spar with her that day, I was just sparring with Amy. But she was in the corner and in the gym and she said that's the best I've seen you spar in ages and then I said 'Oh'. Like I felt rubbish when I came in the gym and she went 'No, that's what a world title fight does to you.'"
However, Hopewell first needs to get back in the ring and capitalise on her momentum. The Brit is coming off a dominant performance against Kata Pap last month, winning every round on the referee's scorecard. This was after Hopewell suffered her first and only defeat to Emma Dolan near the end of 2023 at super-flyweight.
"I think it's just a case of building really so I had my first loss in a super flyweight contest in October in Sheffield against a good girl called Emma Dolan and that was a good learning fight. I feel like having that loss early in my career actually did me good in a way. No one ever wants a loss, but I think sometimes if you take it early on, you can learn from it, and I feel like I have done.
"I boxed a few weeks ago in Bradford at my new weight at flyweight, and then I'm looking at next to be out in April, so I think it's just going to be a six-rounder. But the main thing for me is that I'm better when I'm busy, and last year, I had a nine-month gap between two fights. So I don't want to leave it that long this time.
"So yeah, I was out early February, and then I'm hoping to be out in April, which to me is like a good gap. So I just want to keep busy like that, and then obviously, if the right opportunity does come for a title shot or anything like that, we will take it."
Indeed, sometimes in boxing, all you need is that chance to show your talent on the biggest stage. Hopewell's story is reminiscent of the first Rocky movie. Out of nowhere, she got the call to fight one of the best boxers in the world. This time, her shot didn't come to fruition, but an even better opportunity could be around the corner.
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