Shannon Courtenay Losses WBA Bantamweight For Missing Weight
WBA bantamweight champion Shannon “The Baby Face Assassin” Courtenay (7-1, 3ko) was looking to make the first defense of her title. However, she has been stripped of the championship after failing to make weight for the fight against undefeated challenger Jamie “The Miracle” Mitchell (6-0-2, 4ko).
Mitchell tipped the scale at 117.5 pounds which is under the contractual weight limit for the title. However, the champion weighed in at 120.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the 118-pound limit. Despite being given a few hours to lose the weight, it was clear from the look on the face of the British champion it was going to be an impossible task.
AN UNFORESEEN PHYSICAL CONDITION
It came as no surprise Courtenay opted out of losing the extra weight and took to social media to explain what caused her to miss weight.
“Thank you to everyone that’s been messaging to check on me and send me love. We had no weight issues during camp all week I’ve been in a really good place and ready. We was on weight and ready to go yesterday.”
“Then last night unexpectedly my menstrual cycle started which for obvious reasons makes a woman gain weight. To say I’m devastated is an understatement because this has never happened before. I’m always professional, but this was physically out of my control. It’s happened, and I can’t change it. But what I can do is go out there tomorrow night, get the win and get my belt back straight after. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m switching off now. I have a fight to get ready for.”
WILL SHE STAY OR MOVE UP
Although the fight will continue, the title will only be on the line for Mitchell. She does not lose the opportunity to win the vacant title. The Baby Face Assassin, like any champion, never wants to lose their title in this fashion. Courtenay captured the vacant title in an all-out war against the very popular Australian Ebanie Bridges back in April.
Moreover, she was hoping to avenge the only blemish on her record against WBC interim titlist Rachel Ball back on August 14, 2020. It is going to be interesting to see how things play out from here. Despite saying she wants to win back the title, there is a good chance the former champion could decide to move up after the fight.
By: Garrisson Bland
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