Matchroom Boxing’s Shannon Ryan says this is “the best I’ve felt” ahead of Wembley fight

Watford’s rising star Shannon Ryan (4-0) says fans should expect a “sharp, explosive fight” at Wembley this Saturday when she makes her debut for Matchroom Boxing. The unbeaten super-flyweight will take on Martina Bernile (5-1-1) as she looks to extend her winning streak and stamp another professional victory on home turf.

Ryan is no stranger to walking out in front of Wembley crowds, and under Anthony Joshua’s 258 management, as well as one of Eddie Hearn’s latest signings, she is ready to step into the ring and make a huge splash.

Speaking to LondonWorld ahead of her fight, Ryan said: “I’m feeling really good, this is the best I’ve felt physically and mentally, it’s the best camp I’ve had. Now that I’ve signed with Matchroom and I’ve improved a lot since my last fight in November, I’m ready to just showcase that and put on a great performance.

“I’m very confident, I believe in my skillset and we’ve been putting so much work in that I feel on the night it’s going to come off so nicely.”

Ryan will enter the fight having last beaten Ivanka Ivanova on points at Alexandra Palace. She also featured on the historic Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall card back in October 2022 at the O2 Arena — the UK’s first all-female boxing event. Ryan beat Buchra El Quaissi on the night and played a part in a major milestone moment for women’s boxing.

“That gave me goosebumps, to be involved in something like that so early on in my career, I was so grateful and so blessed,” she reflected. “Then to walk out in front of a larger crowd, that was nice also and I just tried to take it all in and soak up the moment. Because that had never been done before in the UK and I can now say I was a part of that for the rest of my life.”

Extending her 100 percent record against Bernile on Saturday will keep Ryan in strong contention to break the glass ceiling and become one of the most recognised names in women’s boxing. This is a dream she has held since making the switch from an international kickboxer and Taekwondo superstar and rising through the ranks.

However, not everything is about the glory inside the ring. Ryan is passionate about telling her story and inspiring a new generation. After working at the O2 retail store in Watford, the company has come on board with Ryan’s professional journey and has established its first ever boxing partnership as her sponsor.

“It just goes to show how much I believe in myself and I kind of put that to them [O2]. I don’t think to this day that I’ve disappointed but it means a lot, it shows that whatever you want to do in life, just go after it. If the walls are there, kick them down and you can overcome any challenge that’s put in front of you.

“Getting a title shot is the aim and becoming undisputed is of course what I would like to achieve, but there’s not only that, there’s more to the boxing for me. It’s about inspiring people to go after what they want in whatever field they’re in, it’s about trying to be a voice within the sport and to others, and to use my platform as best as I possibly can for those watching.”