Boxing
Matchroom Fight Camp: Sandy Ryan wants her name in same bracket as Katie Taylor
Watch Fight Camp only on DAZN
Former amateur star Sandy Ryan is looking to make a statement in her first professional fight at Fight Camp on Saturday against Kirstie Bavington.
The Derby boxer claimed a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and was a medal hope for Team GB ahead of the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, but instead decided to turn professional.
Ryan has linked up with trainer Clifton Mitchell for her journey into the pro ranks and is ready to fight for world titles along with fulfilling her dream of staging a fight at her beloved Derby County Football Club.
Speaking to Fightmag , Ryan believes she has prefectly timed her decision to turn pro.Â
"To be successful and one of the best female fighters in the world is my goal," she explained.
“I’ve got the right team around me and I believe I can achieve that. I was going to turn pro after the Olympics but when they were postponed, I took the decision to turn over. I feel like it’s the right time and I’m ready to go all the way."
When it comes to her opponent Kirstie Bavington, Ryan wanted someone who would pose a challenge on her debut and thinks Bavington will do exactly that.
"I said to my manager, ‘I don’t want a walkover, get me a good opponent’, and they delivered with Kirstie. I looked on YouTube and watched a few of her fights, she seems game and she’s coming to win which is exactly what I want." Ryan said.
"I didn’t want to do a four rounder in my first fight so I’m going straight into six rounds."
Ryan acknowledges the journey to the top will be a long and difficult one, but is using one of the best in women's boxing as inspirsation, undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor.
"I’ve done this for many years, but the pro game is very different. Every fight and camp I will learn and develop, and the journey is only just beginning.Â
"I want to be up there, in years to come when people talk about women’s boxing, I want my name in the same bracket as Katie Taylor."
Ryan vs. Bavington is part of a huge bill at Fight Camp 2, night one on July 31. You can subscribe to DAZN  to watch all three Fight Camp cards over the coming three Saturday nights.
