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SportsTranscript
00:00Just at the end of the refereeing instructions there, I just think that's Bradley Skea, Francesca
00:25Hennessy's trainer, just querying the beltline of Dorota Norek.
00:31There is father Mick Hennessy, who always cuts a figure of ease, I would say, at ringside
00:40considering his daughter is fighting.
00:43He is absolutely full of confidence in the skill set of Francesca Hennessy.
00:49She is still a young developing pro in its early days, Matt.
00:56Yeah, definitely, but so far so good and this, you know, young girl has literally grown up
01:03around the sport and, you know, everything we've seen so far, very, very talented, lovely
01:11jabs to the body there, real relaxed, confident style as well.
01:17It is the entertainment business at the end of the day and she is hell-bent on entertaining.
01:24That was some ring walk, I mean, I still can't quite find the words to describe it, but she
01:29had all the moves and she'll need to back that up now.
01:34She's settled well, though.
01:37The vocal about the longer distance should suit her, Matt, this is her first time over
01:42eight rounds and obviously it is still two-minute rounds for the women, but eight, she feels,
01:50will suit her a lot better than the six.
01:53Yeah, well, we'll see, she gives it more time, she can settle down, she doesn't have to try
01:57and rush her work, be more patient.
02:04Norek just switched hitting, although I'm not sure she actually threw a punch out of
02:09her stance, but she's much more experienced than Francesca Hennessy, it's just to say.
02:19Francesca's fourth fight, fight number 12 for Norek, who's boxed over here before on
02:24three occasions, she's yet to win.
02:27Finish!
02:34Just a scrappy end to this first round, Hennessy just bundled to the floor, Mark Bakes just
02:41gives Norek a little ticking off.
02:44We're in the Hennessy stable is Isaac Chamberlain, and I quizzed him on his stance and how he
02:50sees this main event going tonight.
02:53I've been trying to analyse it a little bit, but it's very, very hard, Richard is improved
02:57so much, but CBS is very, very tough.
03:00You know McGuigan's, they have a spectacular game plan, and Chris Williams-Smith is a person
03:04that really listens, but Richard can really turn it around with any punch.
03:09But again, CBS has been more active than Richard, Richard hasn't really had enough activity,
03:14but obviously the fights that he has had, he's been knocking them out, so it's just
03:19something down, man, I don't know.
03:22When you come down off that fence, let me know what it's like.
03:24F*** you, man!
03:26F*** you, bro!
03:36Got him!
03:40Well that was well and truly my card marked, it's very easy to be brave sitting ten foot
03:44across the room, I wouldn't dare say that to Isaac Chamberlain's face.
03:49Back to this one, much better start to the round from Francesca Hensi, nice short right
03:53hand and left hook combination.
04:03Norak herself, she boxes in a fairly unorthodox manner, in terms of she stands out of range
04:09with her hands down by her sides.
04:11You saw her switching stance but not actually throwing, you might know, I'm not 100% convinced
04:17that she knows where the punches are coming from.
04:20So this may well just take a little bit of time for Hensi to get a read on Dorota Norak here.
04:26Yeah, Norak's a little bit ungainly, a bit awkward, but trying to feint there herself,
04:31trying to jab, kind of pulls, deep stance to the right side which throws that jab.
04:38And as she may be feinting, jab, throw the left hook, lead left hook.
04:40Lead left hook.
04:44Norak just leads off with a big swing right hand, Hensi answers with a left hook of her own.
04:55Norak looking for the right hand over the top there.
04:59Norak has been stopped just the once and that was by Shannon Courtney on a Sky show.
05:07Big right hand back in 2020.
05:14No shame in that because Courtney is a big puncher.
05:17That was good from Norak actually, she did land a long left hand from the self-pull stance.
05:23Yeah, definitely a better round for Norak.
05:26That was good work from Francesca Hensi with the right hand as well.
05:30Just switches to the body.
05:36I'll see how y'all do 11.
06:07When I feel comfortable in my skin, that confidence comes across in my coaching.
06:14I can deliver what I need to on my players.
06:17Upgrade to Dove Men Plus Care.
06:36Good combination there, putting the shots together nicely now.
06:39That was a good body shot in there as well from Hensi, which may play dividends down the stretch.
06:45Just trying to slow Norak down.
06:55It's been an emotional build up for Francesca Hensi.
06:58She performed her open workout in her tribute t-shirt to her Nana G, who she lost.
07:06A few weeks ago.
07:08Some thoughts with the whole Hensi family.
07:11Another good left hook from Hensi.
07:14She's just growing in confidence, Matt.
07:16Yeah, that double left hook, body and head working well for her.
07:19Again, slipping to the left.
07:21Didn't quite land the left hook, but you can see she's trying to put away on her front foot
07:25and then bang the left hook into the body and then finish with it upstairs to the head.
07:28And for all the flair, there's actually a textbook jab in the middle of all that that found the target.
07:32This is much better from Francesca Hensi, who just seems to have found a natural rhythm
07:38and just starting to time Norak.
07:49Just to follow up on the loss of the family.
07:52One of the big things Francesca said was after training, when you're a professional boxer,
07:57you train during the day and all your friends are at work,
07:59she'd always go round her Nana's house.
08:02And she can't do that anymore.
08:04But she's channeling that into some pretty positive work in this third round.
08:09Yeah, again the left hook to the body and then finishing upstairs to the head.
08:14That double left hook, body and head working really well for her.
08:22She's got Norak second guessing here, Francesca Hensi, using the feints to good effect.
08:28Norak's just looking for that big right hand and she may have landed it in the first round,
08:33but she hasn't really landed it since.
08:35She's had a good uppercut there from Norak, but the hand speed is with Hensi.
08:39Good end to the round.
08:45Well, it was around this time last night when the sun was shining,
08:50just to give you a weather update.
08:52Both main event fighters came down when they had rehydrated and
08:55the interesting thing from our point of view, Matt,
08:59that's M. Huncho accompanying Richard Reckford.
09:02Both fighters, champion and challenger, took it as an occasion to really get in the right mindset.
09:08They actually did proper ring walks, particularly Chris Villersmith.
09:11I mean, the look of focus, he dials into a ring walk, but this,
09:15it felt like he was ready to go.
09:18Yeah, well look, it's like the dress rehearsal, isn't it?
09:20You're just pointing yourself in the mindset of how you're going to feel on the night,
09:24and then when they leave here, switch up again.
09:27This was the good Hensi work, Matt.
09:29Yeah, accurately.
09:31Sorry, the accurate shots from Hensi.
09:33Much more quality coming from her.
09:36Yeah, that was without doubt the best round of the fight for Francesca Hensi so far.
09:41She's got a little bit of marking under the right eye.
09:50Certainly a better two minutes.
09:57Norek led off there, and that sharp counter-punching from Hensi.
10:01Oh, big shot, big left hook.
10:03Just timed with the right hand there, finished with the left hook.
10:06Timing and speed.
10:08Bang on from Hensi.
10:13And that confidence that Norek had, certainly in the first two minutes, is evaporating.
10:17Yeah, it looks like Hensi's really found her range now.
10:20Walked onto the right hand-left hook combination.
10:23Found a distance here, I feel.
10:26And it is all coming from the left hand.
10:28I know there's been some notable right hands in there,
10:30but the range finder, the jab, and everything coming off that left hand,
10:33it just has got everything flowing.
10:38There's a gum shield on the canvas.
10:40Just looking to see whose that is.
10:45Or is it a hairband?
10:47Brilliant play from Hensi.
10:54Really combination punching and bunching here from Hensi, and it's good stuff.
10:59Just going through the gears here, Matt, but in a measured way.
11:02Yeah, you know, she's putting the shots together.
11:04Right hand-left hook, body and head.
11:09You know, slipping outside, left hook to the body.
11:12Again, finishing up upstairs to the head.
11:14It's the same shots, really, that are landing from her,
11:17but they're working.
11:19If it's not broke, don't fix it.
11:21Those left-double-left hooks are working a treat for her.
11:23Again, there, didn't come off quite that time, but...
11:29Good round for Hensi.
11:31Yeah, and the shift in the fight has been so visible.
11:33It's almost like a switch flicked in Hensi,
11:36and it all just flows from there.
11:38Another good round for the young star.
11:40So, every Tuesday, the Toto Toto podcast is available.
11:43Scan that QR code.
11:45It'll take you right there.
11:47We're actually down here at Sellers Park for this week's episode,
11:50and next week, we'll be doing our stadium tour.
11:53We'll be in Oakwell
11:55for Zach Celli's title defence against Callum Simpson,
11:59both of whom have won the World Cup.
12:01So, we'll be in Oakwell.
12:03We'll be doing our stadium tour.
12:05We'll be in Oakwell for Zach Celli's title defence
12:07against Callum Simpson.
12:09Both will be on the pitch, weather permitting.
12:14Wherever you download your podcasts,
12:16come and find us, Toto Toto.
12:20Hensi's found her groove, isn't it?
12:22I think that's fair to say.
12:24Yeah, I think so. Putting the shots together nicely there.
12:26See that left, yeah, right hand,
12:28and I think this was the left hook which really landed
12:31flush on the chin.
12:33Staggered.
12:35That was a big round for Hensi.
12:37Our resident Kiss FM DJs
12:39filling up nicely here.
12:41If they are going to get the 15,000, more or less,
12:44it's going to be some atmosphere.
12:46It's looking really, really nice here.
12:49Such an old ground.
12:51100 years of Sellers Park.
12:57Hensi just ducks low and then
12:59wings a left hook over the top
13:01and then repeats the trick.
13:03Snaps the head back of Dorota Norek,
13:05who perhaps, dare I say,
13:07is just cuffs Hensi down the top of the head
13:10with the right hand.
13:12Didn't land flush, though.
13:17Body work from Hensi.
13:19Sounded good, looked good.
13:22Yeah, really found a nice little groove here now, Hensi.
13:25Boxing with big confidence,
13:27good body shots going in there.
13:29And just a little shift.
13:31She seems happy just to stand in mid-range now
13:33and almost bang with Norek.
13:35She's got the hand speed.
13:37She's firing back.
13:39Her spirit hasn't been broken yet.
13:41She's still coming forward,
13:43trying to put shots together.
13:45Yeah, a couple of right hands there from Norek.
13:49There's the body shot.
13:51Finishing on the left hook from Hensi
13:53and then she switches the attack.
13:55One-two to the head.
14:01Mark Bates just ticks off Norek
14:03for use of the
14:04palm
14:06pushing Hensi's head back.
14:10The ringside crowd
14:13sees the inner ringside
14:15just getting into this one now
14:17and mostly Hensi's supporters.
14:19She is a good ticket seller.
14:21Seven Oaks isn't too far away either.
14:23But she's got a fan base.
14:26Lovely boxing from Hensi.
14:35Another good round of boxing.
14:45Former British
14:47and Commonwealth champion Bradley Skeat
14:49made that transition
14:51into the training circles.
14:55And again, these are our
14:57resident DJs
14:59from KISS.FM
15:01and they're all
15:02from KISS.FM.
15:09They've got Matt Macklin's playlist on as well
15:11which is great.
15:14That was the left hand work from Hensi.
15:16She switches it
15:18from the head to the body
15:20and I just wonder if Norek's second guessing that.
15:22She doesn't quite know
15:24where it's going to come from.
15:26Yeah, that's her favourite combination.
15:28That double left hook, body and head.
15:30She throws it every time.
15:32Works well for her.
15:36And that was exactly what
15:38Bradley Skeat was saying underneath you there.
15:40Just keep going with that left hand
15:42but make sure you roll out afterwards.
15:44Good start from Hensi.
15:46Lands a sharp right hand.
15:48Doesn't land completely flush
15:50and Norek just holds her hands out
15:52to say you didn't hurt me there.
15:54She's surely behind in these last couple of rounds
15:56because of the volume
15:58and everything in between
16:00is coming from Hensi.
16:03Norek just fights in bursts.
16:05That was a good little salvo from her
16:07but the Hensi defence was good.
16:11She's very determined here.
16:13Norek to try and come out
16:15and break the flow of the fight.
16:19And you could perhaps say
16:21that there's a language barrier there
16:23from the Poznan resident
16:25but I'd also sense that
16:27that was a show of frustration there.
16:29Mark Bates was calling break
16:30and she was just
16:32trying to free herself and keep punching.
16:43There was a right hand from Norek
16:45which looks a good shot
16:47but Hensi took the play away
16:49straight away with a really good left hook to the body
16:51which perhaps has been her punch of the fight so far
16:53that left hand to the body.
17:00Norek, good pressure,
17:02good work right from Norek
17:04willing herself forward here.
17:25Norek is trying
17:27but perhaps she hasn't got
17:28the speed of foot to close the distance.
17:30Every time she loads up
17:32Hensi sees it coming
17:34and she just takes that half a step back.
17:39Let's get backstage.
17:41Dan Aziz is looking to get back
17:43to winning ways tonight.
17:45He's with Lutelo Mohamed.
17:47Dan, last time you was out
17:49you lit up London
17:51but tonight we're blowing up South London.
17:53We're at home.
17:55Talk to me, how does it feel?
17:56Brilliant.
17:58I've never boxed at a stadium before.
18:00I've seen the previews
18:02of the ring entrance, how it looks
18:04and I'm really, really excited.
18:06I can't wait.
18:08I've got a lively opponent.
18:10I think we're going to make some fireworks.
18:12I can't wait.
18:14I'm really, really pleased.
18:16After the fight
18:18you're going to be doing
18:20a little bit of commentary.
18:22You're on the mic as well.
18:24Does that make you feel extra nervous?
18:26No.
18:28Good luck tonight.
18:30Thank you so much.
18:32Great to have Dan Aziz back on the card.
18:34He's right.
18:36He's in there with Havoya Sepp
18:38who's a very good amateur.
18:40They're not going to have to go
18:42looking for each other.
18:44I think that's fair to say
18:46which sounds pretty good to us.
18:48That's exactly what we want to hear.
18:50And those of you that are on
18:52weather update, the sun's out
18:54so we can all take these ponchos off
18:57but it is part and parcel
18:59of boxing in a stadium.
19:01They're approaching their third season
19:03in there at the moment
19:05because we've had hail, we've had rain,
19:07we've had wind and now we've had some sun.
19:21I just wonder if Norek
19:23will risk it here, Matt.
19:24She's got two rounds left.
19:26You'd think that she's behind.
19:28I just wonder if she'll really
19:30throw caution to the wind.
19:32I think her last round was probably
19:34her best round.
19:36She definitely needs to put
19:38her foot on the gas here
19:40and win these next two.
19:42Up to now it's been
19:44Hennessy's dominated.
19:54Still early days for Francesca Hennessy
19:56while we're just in her fourth fight.
19:59She was a good amateur
20:01on two national championships,
20:03the Women's Winter Boxing Cup.
20:06She boxed internationally,
20:08went over to Sweden and boxed
20:10in the European Championships.
20:12She's got a lot of experience
20:14in the world of boxing.
20:16She's got a lot of experience
20:18in the world of boxing.
20:20She's got a lot of experience
20:22in the world of boxing.
20:25So she has had good schooling.
20:33Norek still looking for that
20:35home run right hand,
20:37not landing it on this occasion.
20:39This right hand though.
20:41Yeah, there's a good right hand from Norek
20:43and a good three-punch combination
20:45from Hennessy to finish the round.
20:54Good.
20:56Finish strong, yeah?
20:58Speed, yeah? Speed.
21:00Now one, two, hook, yeah?
21:02Nice and sharp with it.
21:04Nice, nice.
21:06Good girl.
21:08Boxing really well, Fran.
21:10Good position.
21:12Nice sharp shots.
21:14Last round.
21:16Don't get caught off.
21:18Finish strong now.
21:20Speed, yeah?
21:22Educate, pressure, educate, speed.
21:24Don't make her take back.
21:26Sharp shots, yeah?
21:28Really good corner communication
21:30from Bradley Skeet.
21:33There's been a lot made recently,
21:35hasn't there, about one clear voice
21:37and clear communication in the corner
21:39but that sounded to me
21:41like pretty sound advice from Bradley Skeet.
21:43Don't take chances, use your speed
21:45because Norek is going to come out
21:47looking for this stoppage hit.
21:49Well, she's come out in fifth gear here,
21:51Norek, letting both hands go,
21:52taking a fight to Hennessy.
21:54I think she probably knows
21:56she needs a knockout.
22:00Oh, lovely left hook to the body
22:02again from Hennessy.
22:04As you said, I think that's her favourite punch.
22:06And that might just put Norek
22:08back in her box just a little bit
22:10because like you said, she's come out of the traps.
22:12The only question I might ask
22:14if I was being particularly harsh
22:16is could she have done this earlier
22:18because surely the corner must have felt
22:20that those middle rounds were slipping away.
22:22And it always feels like
22:24such a brave skill
22:26if I can describe it as that,
22:28the catch and counter,
22:30to throw when your opponent's throwing.
22:34Yeah, there's obviously risk involved
22:36but it's also where you get the opening
22:38to land the clean shot.
22:42Hennessy just beats Norek to the punch
22:44but not to the head.
22:46She's got a lot of speed
22:48and she's got a lot of speed
22:50and she's got a lot of speed
22:52and Norek's really trying to make this
22:54a physical last two minutes.
22:58This is, dare I say, good schooling, Matt.
23:00This is what you need.
23:02This is the pro ranks.
23:04It talks about the amateurs
23:06where people aren't protected.
23:08That's not fair but not allowed perhaps
23:10to have this sort of mauling, gruelling fight.
23:12This is part of pro boxing.
23:14This feels like, to the matchmaker,
23:16eight rounds that Hennessy would have benefited from
23:18and particularly this last two minutes
23:20where she's been a little bit more physical.
23:22She's got to do Hennessy a lot of good as well.
23:24Yeah, this is her first eight round
23:26and Norek really throwing the kitchen sink here
23:28at this round.
23:30It's good to see Hennessy responding well.
23:39It's a good education for Francesca Hennessy.
23:43That was a good eight rounds.
23:48And as if by magic,
23:50somewhere over the rainbow
23:53is world championship boxing later on tonight.
23:57Matt Maxson has a look of pure disgust at my commentary
24:00and I know there's a fair few people at home, Matt,
24:03that will agree with you.
24:05No comments.
24:07We'll be glad to know that Andy Clark takes over after this
24:10and he hasn't got any more weather updates, I don't think.
24:14But as if by magic, Big Mo's got his sunglasses on
24:17because we're all blinded now.
24:19Look at that.
24:21What on earth is going on here? It's June.
24:23You would have thought we would have been safe.
24:25I'm on my third poncho.
24:27I've had the sunglasses out three times.
24:30Well, the sun is reflecting so brightly
24:32we can't really see our monitors
24:34but these are the left hooks from Hennessy.
24:36It was such a weapon, Matt,
24:38to body, to head, it didn't really matter
24:40and by the end of it, Norek didn't know
24:42if to stick or twist.
24:44No, exactly. Right hand, left hook, body and head.
24:46You know, bread and butter, basic shots,
24:47basic combinations,
24:49but they work a treat for Hennessy.
24:51Once you get your timing, once you get your distance,
24:53that right hand, left hook, body and head,
24:55the old ones are best.
24:57Yeah, and I mentioned it,
24:59the t-shirt is good on there
25:01and that is an emotional Francesca Hennessy
25:03just making her way to center ring.
25:05That was a nice embrace between both fighters
25:07as you can see there.
25:10And that is rest in peace.
25:13My beautiful nanny, it says on the t-shirt,
25:15Francesca Hennessy,
25:17she was up in an hour
25:19and as to whether or not she should box,
25:21but I think she'll confirm
25:23that she was very happy that she did.
25:25Let's get confirmation of the result with Big Mo.
25:29Ladies and gentlemen, after eight full rounds,
25:31we go to referee Mark Bates
25:33for the official decision.
25:35He sees the contest, 77 to 75.
25:38Declaring your winner
25:40and still undefeated,
25:42Francesca Hennessy!
25:46So Francesca Hennessy continues her unbeaten start to the pro.
25:49Reaction and more after this break.