This Saturday's 20th April card at the O2, being promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing organisation, features the second outing of their 25-year-old female prospect, Shannon Courtenay.  The Watford boxer is making her sophomore appearance in quick succession to her debut, which took place at the Copper Box Arena, on Matchroom's previous London show.

As at the time of the press conference promoting the show, no opponent had yet been named for Courtenay.  Of course, it will not be a world-beater who opposes her on the fight night.  As a new professional, without an award-laden amateur career behind her, Courtenay will be bedded into the pro game slowly at first.  

This does not mean that there is no pressure on her.  Matchroom is one of the main powerhouses in the sport at the moment and they do not waste their time with no-hopers or also-rans.  After what they consider a reasonable period for finding her feet, they will try to move her on quickly.  Saturday's appearance at the O2 in London is her next step up the ladder.

Matchroom's only other female boxers are former Olympians, Katie Taylor, and Natasha Jonas. They have already taken Taylor to the very top of the sport, where she vies with Claressa Sheilds and Cecilia Braekhus as the star of women's boxing. As for Jonas, she has not been so successful, suffering a disastrous defeat last August to lose her undefeated record. She is currently on the comeback trail. This is the exalted company that Courtenay is keeping.

Courtenay had to go the 4-round distance in winning her opening fight and stated at Thursday's press conference that she had to remember to take her time and not go looking for the knockout.  At this early stage in her career, it is more important for her to keep learning and building her record.  The time when anything further is expected of her will come soon enough.