Ryan, who has a 9-1 pro record, will take on Birkenhead’s Chloe Watson, who has made a similar start to her career, and heads into the bout with an 8-1 record. At stake is the IBF intercontinental super flyweight title, but more importantly, it’s a potential passport to bigger fights, with Ryan eyeing a run towards a world title in 2026.
It’s a great piece of matchmaking, with both fighters at similar points in their careers, and with the pair sharing three common opponents.
Both women have faced Jasmina Zapotoczna, Kate Radomska and Fara El Bousairi as they’ve built strong early resumés. But now the promising duo will go head to head, as Ryan and Watson face off on the undercard of the Kieron Conway vs George Liddard show at York Hall, London, on Friday, October 17.
Speaking ahead of the event during an appearance on Matchroom Boxing’s Flash Knockdown show, Ryan spoke of her respect for her opponent, and said that she’s expecting a big test.
“We’ve boxed three of the same girls now. She’s very on the front foot, very aggressive, very active,” she said.
“I believe that, again, she’s come off a loss. And if my loss changed me, I believe it’s going to potentially change Chloe, as well. So I’m expecting the best version of Chloe coming off of that loss, as well.”
Fighting inside the tight, claustrophobic York Hall can be a daunting prospect for a fighter on the come-up, but that’s something Ryan has experienced before, and she’s relishing the chance to do so again in the highest-profile fight of her career to date.
“Yeah, I think the intimacy – everyone’s on you,” she explained.
“I boxed there in December, and just the crowd, it literally feels like it is right there with you.
“When I have boxed it on bigger shows, bigger arenas, I’m (fighting) quite early on, so the people are not there, and you can’t hear as much.
“Whereas, when I was at York Hall, and I believe this time as well, you can just hear everything and everyone, which kind of helps and adds to the situation.”
The event, which streams live on DAZN, will pit Ryan against Watson, who lost a split decision to Zapotoczna last time out. By contrast, Ryan defeated Zapotoczna by unanimous decision in February 2024. But, despite her opponent heading into Friday night’s fight off a defeat, Ryan said she views the matchup as a coin-flip fight, and knows she’ll have to deliver on the night to ensure she gets her hand raised.
“I think because Chloe’s a good fighter, irrespective of the loss that she took,” she said at the undercard press conference.
“It’s a 50-50 fight. It’s one that I want, and it’s one that the people want to see. And I think that’s what boxing needs in the female divisions, as well.”
As for what will make the crucial difference in the bout, Ryan explained her smarts, and her improved mentality will give her the edge over Watson in their Friday night matchup.
“I think my boxing brain, my IQ, I’m explosive, you know, we’re both sharp, but, yeah, I just think how I am as an individual now, compared to where I was, is just completely different.”
It’s the biggest bout of Ryan’s pro boxing career to date, and Ryan sees the matchup as a potential take-off point for a run towards to a world title shot in 2026.
“For me right now, it’s all on October 17,” she said.
“Do I believe that night will be the making of Shannon Ryan? Absolutely.
“Do I think that will propel me in 2026 into those title shots? Absolutely.”
