Shannon Courtenay was set to make the first defense of her WBA bantamweight title on Aug. 14 — which had been pushed back from an earlier Matchroom Fight Camp date already — but has withdrawn from the bout due to an injury in training camp.
“I’m absolutely devastated but we’ve had to postpone this fight,” Courtenay wrote on Instagram. “I sustained an injury in training four weeks ago, and we’ve tried to train through and around it, but we have to be sensible and make the right decision for my career.
“My injury is getting better every day but I need to be 100 percent when I step in that ring especially as my world title is on the line. This fight WILL happen and the date will be announced soon!!”
Courtenay (7-1, 3 KO) claimed the vacant belt on Apr. 10, beating Ebanie Bridges in an absolute war. She was set to defend against Jamie Mitchell (6-0-2, 4 KO), a 36-year-old American who should be considered a bit of a live underdog if and when the fight does happen. Mitchell has some skills and Courtenay just naturally loves to get into a tear-up, which makes fights very interesting and very entertaining.
The Aug. 14 Fight Camp show obviously goes on, headlined by Joshua Buatsi vs Ricards Bolotniks in a sneaky great light heavyweight matchup.