O’Connell vs. Nongkipahuyuth for WIBA title, June 14 in Melbourne

 
AFTER challenging for multiples world titles both home and abroad in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, Australia’s ‘Shotgun’ Shannon O’Connell will finally fight for a world title in her preferred super bantamweight division.

 
O’Connell, 31, will challenge credible Thai Sriphrae Nongkipahuyuth, 21, ten years her junior, for the vacant WIBA super bantamweight title at Grand Star Receptions, in Melbourne’s west on June 14th.

 
The Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) is widely regarded as the most credible of the sanctioning bodies for womens boxing, with many of the best female fighters having previously held the title. The organisation’s super bantamweight title is currently vacant, as previous it’s titleholder, American Jessica Rakoczy (33-2, 12 KOs) opted to pursue a career in mixed martial arts after her stint on The Ultimate Fighter television series.

 
“Over the last few years I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some great boxing moments, all fantastic and memorable for their own unique reasons,” said O’Connell’s promoter Adam Wilcock of Fightcard Promotions.

 
“Shannon proved again what a true fighter should really stand for. Shannon faced an opponent and in doing so was asked to give up both size and considerable weight advantage,”

 
“She exorcised a few internal demons and took the first step in the next phase of her career.” he continued. “As her tough opponent was a late replacement many asked why we asked Shannon to still make the super-bantam weight limit,”

 
Like O’Connell, who has challenged for world titles in South Korea and South Africa – Nongkipahuyuth has fought all over the world – including challenges against current WBC super featherweight champion Di Prazak in Melbourne, as well as fights against WBA super featherweight titleholder Kina Malpartida in Peru and Xu Chun Yan in China.

 
“Shannon proved her class, ability and that she will beat anyone in the country at bantamweight or super bantamweight.” explained Wilcock. “The challenge ahead of her now is to prove that she can conquer the world.”

 
While the undercard has yet to be announced officially, it will also feature promising Fightcard Promotions prospects ‘King’ Craig Vitale as well as Melbourne-based Irishman Stevie Kelly and Marcos Amado.

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz