Ipswich boxer Eilish Tierney confident after pro debut - 'I'll be world champion'

Eilish Tierney won her first fight over Sheree Barnes on points

Boxer Eilish Tierney says she'll "100%" be world champion following her debut win as a professional.

Tierney, 25, of Ipswich, won at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, with a 40-36 points-decision victory over Sheree Barnes on Saturday night.

Tierney only took up the sport in 2021 to lose weight during lockdown.

She joked of winning a world championship before her friend, training partner and British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley.

Tierney's camp from the Suffolk Punch Boxing club, based at Grange Performance Fitness Centre, Martlesham, includes British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley (left)

Tierney, a super-featherweight, said of her pro debut: "The win was absolutely incredible; the whole event was mental. It still doesn't feel real.

"It was a real bucket-list moment to fight down at York Hall and make my debut there."

Tierney's journey started when she took up the sport to "lose a bit of timber".

She went on to lose five stone (32kg), fight in amateur and white-collar bouts and fall in love with the sport.

"I am still a baby boxer, but I achieved everything I wanted to at white collar and felt comfortable turning pro. There's no better time than the present," she said.

Tierney says she wants to be back in the ring as soon as possible

In her training camp, Tierney has sparred with champions like Nina Hughes and Ebanie Bridges.

As for why she loves the sport, she said: "I love the constant need, to want to do better; to want to improve.

"When you're getting in the ring and sparring world champions, you aspire to be just like them.

"There's nothing quite like the buzz of boxing."

Tierney lost five stone after taking up boxing during lockdown

Despite coming into the sport later than most, Tierney is aiming for world level success, and a career in boxing.

"I 100% know I'll be world champion in a few years, and I know this is what I will do until I can't do it any more," she said.

"I have the skillset and the abilities behind me, and I 100% will be a world champion in the next few years, way before Fabio Wardley.

"I want to get out [and fight again] as soon as possible. I want to get as many fights under my belt as I can. I want to get my name out there and really make a statement."