Nina Hughes Upsets Jamie Mitchel to Become WBA Bantamweight Champ!
On November 26, in Dubai, a new champion was crowned in the women’s bantamweight division. WBA champion Jamie Mitchell (8-1-2, 5KO) suffered her first career defeat at the hands of relatively unknown Nina Hughes (5-0, 2KO).
The 40-year-old from Essex has turned the landscape upside down with this unanimous decision victory. In a fight that saw both women give it their all, the underdog, Hughes, pulled it out down the stretch.
Excited by the victory, Hughes took to social media, thanking Mitchell’s promoter for the opportunity.
WHO IS NINA HUGHES?
The boxing community undoubtedly is shocked by this, as Hughes was not on the radar. However, having fought on the amateur circuit, she is not new to the sport of boxing.
In an interview with Essex Echo, she explained that the beginning of her boxing trials started at the age of 26 years old. Hughes tried it out as a form of fitness, then a trainer pursued her to spar, and that is when the love affair with the sport began.
The WBA champion won national titles and the 2018 Women’s Winter Box Cup. Moreover, she made the roster as part of the first-ever British female Olympic team. Hughes would have participated in the 2012 Olympic games if two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Nicola Adams wasn’t chosen ahead of her.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE NEW CHAMPION?
After getting married and having two kids, the fire to compete never left Hughes. Within one year of her professional debut, she quickly became a champion.
It is a safe bet that Hearn will offer the WBA champion a contract, if he hasn’t done so already. Hughes has some options on the table. She can rematch Mitchell. Alternatively, a unification with IBF champion Ebanie Bridges could be on the horizon.
By: Garrisson Bland
