Mayo professional boxer set for world title fight this weekend

This weekend, Mayo’s boxing sensation Rachel Lally is once more set to put her unbeaten boxing record on the line when she fights to add a second title to her collection.

On Friday, April 3, in the sweltering heat of Dubai at the Pavilion Emirates Golf Club, the ‘Bullet from Belmullet’ will put her UBO International Super-Middleweight title on the line against Grace Mapesa for the UBO World title.

The southpaw, who won a national underage title in 2012 for her local Golden Gloves Boxing Club, has had an impressive ascent since turning professional in November of 2024.

Her pro journey has seen her take on some serious opponents, culminating in her taking the UBO international belt home last year against Cameroonian puncher Leila Yusuph Macho.

That unanimous decision in Lock Stock and Barrel Dubain was the peak of her journey in the professional game.

Now, though, she will face another stiff test, as fellow Cameroonian Grace Mapesa looks to avenge her compatriot.

Mapesa, from the port city of Tanga in north-east Tanzania, has an impressive CV since turning pro herself in 2023.

Her split decision win over Hawa Newton Stonford on her debut set in chain a streak of four knockouts in succession.

However, in Anadyr on Russia’s East coast, she suffered her first loss at the hands of Elena Gapeshina.

Now, this weekend, she’ll be gunning for redemption in this title fight.

The fight is set to be streamed live, along with five other bouts, as part of BATL Boxing Promotion’s ‘Night of Champions’ on IFL TV.