Having her made her professional, fight debut, back in late August, Worksop’s super flyweight, Nicola ‘Hurricane’ Hopewell, 2-0(1), is preparing herself for what will be her third outing, in just six months, whilst also having a sly glance towards the future.

Hopewell, who recently announced that she was being sponsored by OnlyFans sensation, and IBF World bantamweight champion, Australian Ebanie Bridges, 9-1(4) friend of both the Worksop rising star, and her fitness coach/nutritionist, Marfisia Lanza, has probably never been as excited.

The debut came at her beloved Bramall Lane, a stoppage win over Slovak fighter, Claudia Ferenczi (TKO6), before claiming PTS6 success over the Spaniard, Buchara El Quaissi, in late October, in Doncaster, now, all eyes are on Rotherham.

“I still enjoyed a good Christmas and New Year,” beamed Nicola, as she looked ahead to her upcoming contest.

“We’ve got everything under control and myself, Marfi, and my coaches, we’re all working together, singing off the same hymn-sheet, and that makes everything so much easier.

“Training camp was stepped up after Christmas and I’ve been doing more sessions, so we’re well on with that now.

“Sparring will be starting soon, and will get a few weeks of that in, both in Nottingham, and in Sheffield, as we mix things up.”

As with her last contest, in Doncaster, the Rotherham show will also be a GBM Sports promotion, this topped by a WBA and English lightweight title contest between Bradford’s undefeated Hamed Ghaz, 18-0(4) and Doncaster’s Reece Mould, 16-1(6).

“My last fight (with El Quaissi), she was quite a tough opponent for me, but that benefitted me as well, especially as I know there’s some good fights in the pipeline,” continued Nicola.

“Selling tickets though, that’s really hard at this level; it’s something supporters don’t necessarily see as well.

“I go to work during the day, then I’ve got training, and having to sell tickets around everything else, but, this year, I’d love to have what, three, maybe four fights, push myself up the rankings, and stay active.”

Although not looking past her upcoming opponent, on 10 February at Rotherham’s Magna Centre, Hopewell is aware of two possible, future opponents who she’d love to mix it with.

The super flyweight division sees that of Bournemouth’s Gemma Ruegg, 5-6(1), and Newark’s undefeated Emma Dolan (born in Norwich), 4-0(1), ahead of her in the rankings; with the likelihood of a certain, ‘Leighthal’ Leigh Wood fighting at the City Ground, in the not-too-distant future, then, who knows.

“I’ve told my coaches that I’d face them, so I know that, if they can get it, they will do,” she beamed.

“Facing say Emma, in a local derby, in Nottingham, would be great after all – we’ll see.”

As for adding Ebanie Bridges to a list of sponsors which includes Anytime Fitness (Worksop), Mar-Fit PT, Shiatsu Shane, 7Core Electrical, BRS Electrical, Carl Noble Electrical The Mallard Public House (Worksop), JTM Building (Leeds), Advanced Engineering Techniques, and Howarth Timber, the Worksop super flyweight is certainly building foundations.

But, what about the addition of the bantamweight queen, Hopewell, always full of praise for those closest to her, added: “She (Bridges) has been there and knows what it’s like, how hard it is, when working from the bottom.

“When I announced this next fight she was in touch straight away asking if she could sponsor me.

“That’s great as we’ve been good friends for a few years now so I didn’t think twice about agreeing, although maybe I should read the small print;” laughs Hopewell, “we’ll hopefully see her at the fight though.

“I’m so happy Ebanie is sponsoring me for my next fight and always supporting me on my journey I can’t thank her enough.

“I’ve always looked up to Ebanie, she inspires me to always follow my dreams.

“Being friends with Ebanie for the past few years I have seen how you can achieve your dreams by working hard, making sacrifices and being dedicated.

“Now a world champion, seeing Ebanie win her world title in March and defend it in December I know by working hard, dreams and goals do come true.

“My weigh-ins though, it’s not as steamy as Ebanie’s, I wore some OddBalls pants at my last one and they’ve been in touch to say they’ll send a new package ahead of my next one.”

Nicola Hopewell will be appearing at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, on 10 February, on the Izzy Asif/GBM Sports fight card, headlined by a WBA and English lightweight title contest between Hamed Ghaz and Reece Mould.

Ticket information, purchasing details, and to follow the journey, can be done via Nicola Hopewell’s Facebook here and Twitter here.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NicolaHopewell Hopewell pictured (right) with Ebanie Bridges.